Berwick Vol. Fire Dept.

10/13/2026

ATTENTION BUSINESSES & BUSINESS OWNERS

Did your company have a successful year?

As we enter the last quarter of the year, many businesses begin reviewing their finances and preparing for tax season. Hopefully your company had higher revenues than expected, but that means you may also be looking at higher tax liabilities.

Please keep the Berwick Volunteer Fire Department in mind as financial donations may be claimed as a charitable tax deduction. Rather than giving your hard-earned money to Uncle Sam, your contribution would better be utilized to directly support the firefighters who protect our community by helping fund equipment, training, and operational needs. Donations greatly help our department as the Town of Berwick is one of the very few communities in St. Mary Parish that does not have any type of dedicated tax or millage specifically to support the fire department.

Proper documentation will be provided for all donations so they can be included with your tax records.

Donations can be mailed to:
Berwick Volunteer Fire Department
PO Box 486
Berwick, LA 70342

Or dropped off at:
402 Canton St.
Berwick, LA 70342


We sincerely appreciate the continued support from our local businesses that help keep our department strong and ready to serve.

If you can’t donate, you can still help by sharing this post!

10/10/2026

*UPDATE* 12:00PM The truck has been removed from the bridge, all lanes are back open.

*Traffic Incident; US Hwy 90 Eastbound near the foot of the bridge. The right lane is currently shut down.*

Berwick Fire and Berwick Police are currently on the scene of an incident in which a fuel truck suffered a brake failure which led to a minor fire. The fire has been extinguished but the truck will remain in place for an extended period of time where the removal process will take place. If you’re traveling in this area, please slow down and watch out for first responders. We will provide updates as this situation progresses.

09/09/2026

Berwick Fire Department’s nomination for Marine Corps League Firefighter of the Year!

Tonight, the Marine Corps League of St. Mary Parish honored firefighters from each department throughout the parish for their dedication and service to their communities.

Chief Acosta was proud to nominate Operator Zachary Chauvin as Berwick Fire Department’s Firefighter of the Year.

Zach joined the Berwick Fire Department in 2023 and has consistently been one of our top members when it comes to drill hours and emergency calls, leading the department in drill participation year after year.

Since joining the department, Zach has earned his Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) license, Hazmat Awareness certification, and Hazmat Operations certification, and he is currently working toward obtaining his Firefighter I certification.

More importantly, Zach has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to helping others, improving himself, and making our department better. His willingness to show up, put in the work, and continue learning is exactly what being a firefighter is all about.

We are proud to have Zach as a member of the Berwick Fire Department and grateful for everything he does for our department and our community.

Congratulations, Zach! Well deserved!

08/31/2026

BERWICK FIRE DEPARTMENT EMS DIVISION EXPANDS TO PROVIDE EMS EDUCATION

The Berwick Fire Department is proud to announce the expansion of its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division to include EMS education and training.

Earlier this month, the Louisiana Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) approved Chief Jody Acosta to begin providing EMS education. Chief Acosta, a nationally registered EMT, obtained his EMS Instructor credentials and subsequently developed an EMS education program that was approved by the Louisiana Department of Health.

With the program approved and ready to begin, the department wasted no time putting it into action.

This weekend, members of the Berwick Fire Department EMS Division dedicated their time to completing required continuing education and skills training necessary to maintain their Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) licenses and Basic Life Support (BLS) CPR certifications.

EMS licenses are required to be renewed every two years, along with continuing education and competency requirements designed to ensure emergency responders remain current in the knowledge, skills, and techniques necessary to provide quality emergency medical care.

Our EMRs voluntarily gave up their weekend to participate in this training to maintain their readiness and respond when called upon. Their commitment to continuing education and professional development directly contributes to the quality of emergency services provided to the citizens of Berwick.

The ability to provide EMS education within our department is another step forward in strengthening our EMS Division and ensuring our members have access to quality, locally provided training that also saves money by not paying a third party company or instructor.

The Berwick Fire Department appreciates the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by our EMS personnel and is proud of their continued commitment to training, preparedness, and service to our community.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to Stazione’s in Berwick for providing lunch for our first responders during this training weekend. The continued support of our local businesses and community members is invaluable and does not go unnoticed.

Thank you to our EMRs for continuing to invest their time and effort into becoming better prepared to serve the citizens of Berwick!

08/26/2026

Thank you Lafayette Electric and the Boudreaux Family!

08/26/2026

It’s that time of the year again!

Each year the Berwick Fire Department cleans under the Berwick High School Stadium ahead of football season. We utilize this opportunity to also do some training on a wide variety of topics. We utilized a drop tank to draft from a static water source. We shuttled water, which means we filled from a hydrant down the street then shuttled it to the draft site so we got reps in filling, discharging, and driving. Then of course we got some time on the nozzle and hose handling actually washing down the concrete. We finished just in time before the bad weather started!

08/21/2026

Thank you Southern Oaks Pharmacy/Daily Dose Coffee for promoting our department today!

🔥🚒 A BIG thank you to the Berwick Fire Department! 🚒🔥

We are so thankful for everyone at the Berwick Fire Department and everything they do for our town. They show up when our community needs them most—and somehow still manage to keep us laughing along the way! 😂❤️

And we have to give a special shoutout to Fire Chief Jody, who has been one of our biggest supporters! We appreciate your encouragement, your friendship, and everything you do for Berwick more than you know. We know those Cookie Monster Lattes help keep you going! 🫶🏻

We’re lucky to have such a hardworking and dedicated fire department serving our community!

Thank you, Berwick Fire Department, for always answering the call! 🚒❤️

08/15/2026

Again, Team work, makes the dream work!

08/14/2026

JOINT FIRE INVESTIGATION CONTINUES

The Berwick Fire Department, Berwick Police Department, and the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office are continuing their joint investigation into Wednesday’s fire.

Investigators believe there are individuals in our community who may have information regarding those involved in setting this fire. We urge anyone with knowledge of this incident to do the right thing and come forward.

You may remain anonymous.

Anyone with information is asked to contact BPD (985)-384-7710, message our page, or utilize the LASFM hot tip online.

https://www.lasfm.org/enforcementinvestigations/investigations/arson-tips-form/

No tip is too small, your information could be the key to helping investigators determine what happened and who’s responsible.

08/13/2026

3-Alarm Commercial Structure Fire — August 12, 2026

Yesterday at approximately 5:47 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, the Berwick Fire Department was dispatched to 3rd Street, on the unprotected side of the seawall, in reference to a reported structure fire.

Upon arrival, the first unit reported a fully engulfed elevated office building. Due to the extent of the fire, firefighters immediately began a defensive attack utilizing tank water.

Because the building was located on the backside of the seawall, there were no fire hydrants in close proximity to the structure. The command decision was made to place an engine along the bank of the Atchafalaya River to draft water directly from the waterway as an alternative water supply.

Due to the extreme August temperatures, the complexity of the incident, and the significant water-supply challenges, mutual aid was requested from the Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department and Morgan City Fire Department.

Multiple handlines, ground monitors, as well as the elevated waterway of an aerial truck were all in operation to provide additional water flow. Bayou Vista VFD was able to establish a supply line from a hydrant located across the seawall, while Berwick continued drafting water from the Atchafalaya River.

Through the coordinated efforts of all responding agencies, the fire was eventually brought under control, allowing firefighters and investigators to begin overhaul and investigation efforts.

During the course of the investigation, investigators with the Berwick Fire Department determined that there were no electrical power being supplied to the building. Due to suspicious circumstances surrounding the fire, the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office was requested to respond and assist with determining the cause and origin of the fire.

During the suppression efforts, two firefighters sustained injuries. One firefighter was transported to a local hospital for heat exhaustion, while the second was transported for an eye injury. Both firefighters were treated and subsequently released from the hospital. No injuries to civilians.

The investigation remains ongoing. Any additional information regarding the cause of the fire or any potential criminal investigation will be released by the Louisiana State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Berwick Fire Department responded with 22 personnel, 2 Engines and 2 Service trucks.

Berwick Fire Chief Jody Acosta would like to express his sincere appreciation to the agencies and individuals who assisted during this difficult incident, including the Berwick Police Department, Bayou Vista Volunteer Fire Department, Morgan City Fire Department, Acadian Ambulance, and the citizens of our community who came out to support firefighters by providing cold water and sports drinks during the firefight.