VIDEO: The Town of Iowa is making a big investment in public safety. On Thursday, local officials, firefighters and community members gathered for the groundbreaking of a new fire station that will serve the growing needs of Calcasieu Parish. The future home of Iowa Fire Protection District No. 1 sits just off U.S. 90, next to the Family Dollar. What is now an empty lot will soon become a state-of-the-art facility equipped with the tools and resources needed to better protect nearly 4,000 area residents.
“This station was designed to have sleeping quarters, so especially during emergency response — hurricanes, bad weather, snowstorms — we’ll be able to have people staying here 24 hours as needed,” said Fire Chief Charlotte Lantier. The new fire station will include modern equipment bays, designated training spaces and updated living quarters — a major upgrade for first responders in the district.
Mayor Neil Watkins says the project has been a long time coming. “Basically what we wanted to do was try to move this thing forward. Getting this completed actually gets us back in a position where we can accommodate any emergency that pops up in the district,” Watkins said.
Lantier emphasized the station represents more than just bricks and mortar — she says it’s a symbol of perseverance. “Never give up. The times where the red tape tends to want to push you back, it tends to make you want to give up. The message to my guys is to stay loyal to your department, and keep moving forward, one day at a time,” Lantier said. Construction is expected to be completed next year. Once open, officials say the station will mark a new chapter in emergency response and community resilience for the Town of Iowa.
