Volunteer Companies of Eastbank Jefferson Parish's Past
This page showcases the fire stations which were used by the five volunteer companies that operated in the JPFD's first due. These companies stopped operating once a fully functional, paid department was created. After most of these companies disbanded, Fire District 2 (Eighth Ward in Metairie) began on October 20,1952. The next paid department, Fire District 1 (Seventh Ward in Old Jefferson), was officially started on February 5,1953. Both of these departments merged into the current East Bank Consolidated Fire Department in 1958.
Jefferson Volunteer Fire Company
Date Started: November 12th 1929
Closed: 1952
Location: Terrace Street in Old Jefferson
Volunteers operated out of this building until Station 11(then Jefferson Central Station 1) was built at its current location. The building still stands today.
Metairie Volunteer Fire Company #1
Date Started: June 25th, 1925
Closed: June 27, 2006 (as a JPFD station)
Location: 402 Aurora Avenue in Old Metairie
Funded by Alfred E. Bonnabel the company was first created with 2 horse drawn pumpers acquired from New Orleans F.D. Eventually mechanized apparatus replaced the horses which were originally stored in Mr Bonnabel's Barn. The station was absorbed into the roster of the JPFD in 1951 and was demolished in 2008.
West Carrollton Volunteer Fire Company
Date Started: October 31, 1927
Closed: 1952
Location: Brooklyn Street in Old Jefferson
The building (minus the addition on the left hand side) stored an engine named Old Betsy. (Click here for photos on Third District F.D.'s website). The heavily remodeled building has served as an auto shop but today is used as an office/machine shop.The volunteers operated here until Station 12 (then Station 2) was built.
East End Volunteer Fire Company
Date Started: July 6, 1948
Closed:1968
Location: Plaquemines Ave. in Bucktown
The volunteers in this company refused to disband even after a paid department was established. They officially stopped answering calls once station 18 was constructed. (Thank you to P.I.O. Rigamer for help with finding this station.)
Elmeer Volunteer Fire Company
Date Started: August 5,1949
Closed: 1952
Location: near Veterans Blvd.
The department officially began operations on May 31, 1951. The station has since been demolished.
