Kenner Fire Fighters Association- Local 1427

10/11/2026

Retirement Spotlight: Captain Kevin Lafleur

Today, we recognize Captain Kevin Lafleur, who retired from the Kenner Fire Department on October 1, 2026, after 25 years of service. When asked what motivated him to become a firefighter, his answer was simple: “To serve and protect the community.” His career reflected that mission through leadership, public service, and the crews he led.

His service went beyond the normal duties of a Captain. He served in the Honor Guard, representing KFD at ceremonies and funerals — a role requiring professionalism, personal time, and sacrifice. He also served as Captain of the Rescue Squad, a specialized assignment demanding experience, judgment, and leadership during high-risk incidents. When acting District Chief, he carried command responsibility above his rank.

Captain Lafleur’s guiding message was clear: “The only thing that makes a crew is you and your people… take care of them and they will take care of you.”

KFD is not only losing newer firefighters and other personnel. It is losing a long-term Captain — the people responsible for leading crews, developing future officers, and making critical decisions during emergencies. Captain Lafleur said his plan was not to retire at 25 years, but to continue toward District Chief. Instead, he chose to walk away from KFD — not from service — because the pay structure, reduced benefits, loss of educational incentives, morale, leadership, and conditions made staying in Kenner unsustainable. In his own words, “I started KFD with pride and ended with disappointments.”

With the 2% ordinance coming before the Kenner City Council on October 16, departures like this must be taken seriously. The ordinance is one concrete step toward stopping this pattern. We ask residents to contact their Council Members and ask them to support it, and we ask Council Members to recognize what is at stake: retention, experience, leadership, and public safety.

Even in retirement, Captain Lafleur encouraged members to stay engaged and continue standing together for the future of the department. He is retiring from KFD, but not from public service, beginning a new chapter with Ponchatoula Public Safety.

10/09/2026

Voters approved the fire millage on November 18, 2023, expecting it to improve pay and benefits for fire personnel.

Since that millage passed, the fire department has lost 27 employees to resignation. These are resignations, not retirements. This is not simply natural end-of-career attrition.

This is also bigger than firefighters alone. The resignations include firefighters, fire drivers, communications officers, prevention personnel, a fire training officer, records, budget/accounting, and IT personnel. Every one of those roles is part of a functioning fire department.

Since the 2025 pay plan, 17 employees have resigned. For context, those 27 resignations equal nearly one-fourth of the department’s current confirmed roster.

The department’s resignation record shows that from 2019 through 2023, annual resignations ranged from 4 to 7. In 2024, that number reached 10. In 2025, it reached 11. In 2026, the department is already at 6 resignations through September.

The numbers do not show improved retention.

A pay plan that reduces long-term earning potential and is followed by that much turnover in that little time is not a retention fix.

That is why the upcoming 2% ordinance matters.

Kenner fire personnel need a pay structure that rewards longevity, protects career earnings, and gives trained, experienced employees a reason to stay.

We are asking the public to support the 2% ordinance and encourage their council members to support Kenner fire personnel, retention, and public safety.

The 2% ordinance is scheduled for public hearing and final passage at the Kenner City Council meeting on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:00 AM at Kenner Heritage Hall.

10/01/2026

Farewell to Firefighter Blaine Loyola

Today, we recognize the departure of Firefighter Blaine Loyola, who joined the Kenner Fire Department on March 20, 2024, and served until September 24, 2026. Blaine leaves with appreciation for the opportunities, training, knowledge, skills, and friendships he gained in Kenner.

Kenner cannot keep treating firefighter turnover like routine staffing. Blaine served just over two and a half years with KFD and had already worked in the temporary role of Substitute Operator. For the public, an Operator is not simply “the driver.” Operators move the apparatus, position it on scene, and operate the pump that supplies water during fires. In the past, it could take 10-plus years to reach a permanent driver/operator position. Today, turnover is forcing newer firefighters into greater responsibility much faster because experienced members keep leaving. When a firefighter with only a few years on the job is pulled up to work above their rank, it creates a gap behind them often filled by an even newer recruit. That is not stability; that is a department constantly starting over.

Blaine also brought swift water and rope awareness training, showing the experience KFD loses when newer firefighters move on.

Blaine’s time with KFD is another reminder of the investment needed to develop a firefighter. Training, mentorship, station experience, and daily calls shape someone the department can rely on. When that firefighter leaves, the department loses growing experience, future leadership potential, and the investment made by fellow firefighters.

As the firefighter pay ordinance moves forward, we ask the public and Council Members to look at departures like this and understand what is at stake. Retention is not abstract — it is leaving gaps in experience across the department.

The department continues to lose trained firefighters when every experienced member matters. Each departure creates another gap that cannot be filled overnight by hiring the next recruit.

We thank Firefighter Loyola for his service to the citizens of Kenner and wish him success as he continues his firefighting career with the City of Covington Fire Department.

09/24/2026

https://wgno.com/news/louisiana/jefferson-parish/kenner-fire-department-crews-respond-to-structure-blaze-wednesday-evening/amp/?fbclid=IwdGRjcAUiKHZjbGNrBSIocWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHBkb2YBc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMzUwNjg1NTMxNzI4AAEejG0z9mgbw8HR2ch2iNXJYtwmBb5pqRQLNrJMBOpxOATfVFusH6KZjtYKJ7E_aem_llQSrpCQKsJici3tAIFnqA

Crews with the Kenner Fire Department are responding to a structure fire in the 3100 block of Kentucky Ave on the evening of Wednesday, Sept. 23.

09/15/2026

***FIRE IS OUT AT THIS TIME***

***Upgraded to 2nd Alarm***

KFD is on the scene of a working commercial structure fire in the 2400 block of Marietta Street. Please avoid the area while crews are working.

09/14/2026

https://gofund.me/9f6bb24e6

It is with incredibly heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dad, Keith Ric… Alex Frisard needs your support for In Loving Memory of Keith Ricker Sr.

09/14/2026

IT’S THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN!

Every October, the Kenner Fire Fighters Association, Local 1427, holds our annual Breast Cancer Awareness Shirt fundraiser to help support individuals affected by breast cancer in our community.

This year’s shirt design was submitted by one of our own Kenner firefighters, and all proceeds from the fundraiser will go directly to individual(s) affected by breast cancer. Recipients will be nominated by our membership and selected by a vote of the KFFA membership.

If you’d like to support this year’s fundraiser, visit:

kennerfirefighters.org

Shirts are available in the online shop under APPAREL
Link in bio!

Wear Pink. Support Local. 💗

09/11/2026

Today, we honor the 343 FDNY members and one New York City fire patrolman killed on Sept. 11, 2001, the thousands of others who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks, and all those who have died since from WTC-related illnesses.

Twenty-five years later, we will .

09/09/2026

🐾 EVERY LIFE MATTERS — ON TWO LEGS OR FOUR! ❤️‍🔥

During yesterday’s residential structure fire, the firefighters of Rescue 379 located a family pet inside the home using a thermal imaging camera and successfully rescued the pup.

Thanks to the quick actions, training, and dedication of our firefighters, this beloved family member was brought safely outside and reunited with his family.

Pictured is Firefighter Brandon Hellbach with the pup he and his crew rescued.

At the Kenner Fire Department, we don’t just respond to emergencies—we protect people, families, and the pets who are part of those families. 🐾🚒

09/09/2026

Firefighters used thermal imaging to locate a dog trapped inside a burning two-story home in Kenner Tuesday evening. The fire started in a detached shed and spread to the adjacent residence.

https://www.wwltv.com/article/news/local/jefferson/dog-rescued-after-fire-spreads-to-kenner-home/289-f67f3295-7a9e-429f-9f59-d88c56661fbf?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_WWLTV