108 years of experience

The Abbeville Fire Department will still have plenty of experience among its ranks at the start of the new year.
When Jan. 1, 2014, rolls around, however, the department will have officially lost a good bit of its seasoning.
Former Abbeville Fire Chief Elvin Michaud’s retirement will become official with the new year. He joins former assistant chiefs Carl “Bruce” Broussard and Paul Celestine, whose respective retirement dates hit earlier this year. The city recognized the trio Tuesday.
“You are looking at 108 years of combined experience in the Abbeville Fire Department,” Mayor Mark Piazza said during the City Council meeting.
The impact is not one seen often.
“This is truly an historic event,” Piazza said. “Correct me if I am wrong, but I cannot remember when we had a fire chief and two assistant chiefs retire in the same year.”
Neither of the three men could recall such an instance. The moment is on the books now as the Mayor and Council presented Broussard (39 years of service), Celestine (32 years and 11 months) and Michaud (36 years and 10 months) with plaques.
“Gentlemen, a plaque does not do justice to the performance you have given to the city of Abbeville,” Piazza told the chiefs. “You certainly deserve so much more.
“Let me say from the bottom of my heart how much we appreciate your devotion to the city and your efforts over the years of service.”
Michaud said those years, including his 13 as the top chief, proved a pleasure.
“I just want to thank the Mayor and Council for their cooperation,” Michaud said. “I think we made a lot of advances while I was fire chief and that is due to their cooperation, as well as the hard work of the Abbeville Fire Department.
“I thank everyone very much.”
Broussard also credited the team work in the city.
“I do go back a ways and it has been a pleasure,” Broussard said. “I was fortunate to work with a great group of guys. Every administration that I have worked under has been very helpful. We got an occasional ‘no’ but that was not very often. I would hear stories at conferences about struggles between other city’s departments and administrations. Seldom did we hear a ‘no’ and when we did, it was because you just couldn’t (say yes).
“I appreciate very, very much everything that has been done for me and it has been an honor to serve.”
Celestine simply reflected on what it has meant to serve.
“Through the years I have developed a real sense of being by giving service to mankind,” Celestine said. “I thank God for giving me this purpose that I have had. We have had some real beautiful times. There have been some rough times but you hold it all dear to your heart. I really thank the city and the rest of the guys who have made a family.
“These are the things that I will take with me forever.”
Councilman Brady Broussard Jr. said what he takes away from the three chiefs is the perfect example of leadership.
“We are unusually blessed with this fire department,” Broussard said. “You can never dismiss the value of the leadership we have right here. We should include (current Fire Chief) Matt Suire because that is where it starts.
“That leadership is why we are the envy of many fire departments around the state.”
Suire, who has served as interim fire chief since last December, said he learned a great deal from the three chiefs. That education is helping Suire and the department move forward.
“I learned what to do and what not to do,” he said. “We are moving on.”
Piazza said many already have and will continue to step up in the department.
“It’s a tremendous loss for the department,” Piazza said of the three chiefs. “We do have people who have stepped into their shoes. We feel confident they will do a tremendous job.”