By: ELIZABETH WEST
Associate Editor
The Ville Platte Fire and Police Civil Service Board held their monthly meeting last Tuesday.
After the board approved promotions, terminations, and new hires for firemen and policemen, their attention was then turned to discussing the approval of a new position at the Ville Platte Fire Department.
The position, which would be for a training officer, was discussed several times at the Evangeline Parish Fire District #2’s monthly meetings and Ville Platte council meetings because both entities would pay a portion of the training officers salary.
Once the fire district and city approved paying a portion of the salary, the fire and police civil service board had to approve the creation of this position, which will be filled by appointment by the mayor.
Board member Chris Soileau said, “The training officer would do things like make sure that the department is keeping up with training and certifications, and anything else the chief needs this person to do. It’s a lot of work that the chief can’t do, and his secretary can’t either.”
According to Soileau, the fire chief is looking to hire someone from within the department, but candidates will only be considered for the position after having taken the required state civil service test.
Since the new position was approved, the next step will be to have the information sent to the state for the creation of the position of training officer.