After a year of not having a workable breathing air cascade system, the Loreauville Fire Department finally has relief thanks to being awarded a $35,000 grant from Firehouse Subs. 

Chief Cameron Comeaux said that an air cascade system is used to fill the air packs that firefighters use during fire events. 

“It’s similar to a regular compressor but it has extra filters to make sure the air is clean,” Comeaux said. 

When the fire department moved from their old location near the Bayou Teche last year, the piece of equipment finally bit the dust. Although Comeaux couldn’t give an exact date on how old the equipment was, he estimated about 20 years that the LVFD had been using it. 

After it broke down, the department relied on other fire departments in the parish to refill air packs after fire events. 

“They’re very expensive, and most departments use them until they break,” Comeaux said. 

After applying for a grant to replace the breathing air cascade system three times, the fire chief said the fire department could finally breathe a sigh of relief when the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation accepted their application and awarded the department $35,797 that will go to a new system. 

In a prepared statement, the department said the funding will be used to acquire a new breathing air cascade system, replacing their obsolete and non-functioning one and significantly improving the department’s ability to respond to emergencies in Loreauville and surrounding communities.

The breathing air cascade system will provide essential support for firefighters, allowing them to refill self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) cylinders quickly, safely, and efficiently. This upgrade addresses a critical need, ensuring that LVFD remains equipped to protect lives and property during fire suppression and rescue operations.

“This grant is a game-changer for our department and the communities we serve,” Comeaux said. “We extend our heartfelt thanks to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our

local Firehouse Subs in New Iberia for their commitment to public safety. This new equipment will help us continue to provide the high level of service our community relies on in emergencies.”