VIDEO: Long before Dean Lappe ever wore the chiefโs badge, he says he was already no stranger to service. A U.S. Army veteran stationed at Fort Polk in the 1980s, Lappe transitioned from military life to the fire service โ a calling that has now spanned more than three decades. He joined the Houston River Fire Department nearly 25 years ago, and today, heโs still suiting up โ not for the recognition, but for the responsibility.
โMy view on it is letโs get the guys out there. Letโs put them in gear. Letโs do the two-minute drills. Letโs go to the training center. Letโs get the fire burning in the burn building,โ Lappe said. โLetโs do realistic trainingโฆ drag the hose off the engineโฆ use the water off the engine. Get the pump operators up on what they need to do.โ
Lappe says the heart of the department isnโt the equipment or the building โ itโs the people beside him. He credits his crewโs dedication, discipline and teamwork as the reason the department continues to serve the Sulphur area with pride. Those whoโve worked alongside him say the feeling is mutual.
โTo be a fire chief, you can have all the knowledge in the world,โ said Todd Parker, Chief of Ward No. 6 Fire Protection District. โBut being able to put that knowledge into practical application and leading your crew by example โ if you can lead your crew by example, your crew will follow you wherever you need to go. And thatโs Chief Lappe.โ
With all that experience comes a growing concern: staffing. Like many departments across Southwest Louisiana, Houston River is feeling the weight of a firefighter shortage โ a challenge Lappe says canโt be ignored. โOne of the biggest challenges is recruitment,โ he said. โWe need people who are willing to serve โ and train like lives depend on it, because they do.โ Still, after decades in the fire service, Lappe shows no signs of slowing down. And if you ask him, the real reward isnโt the title โ itโs the trust, built one call at a time.
