WINNFIELD, LA — Leadership from Winn Parish Fire District 3 presented a comprehensive update on parish-wide fire protection, operational growth, and community risk reduction during the weekly Winnfield Kiwanis Club luncheon on Tuesday, August 11, 2026.
Fire Chief Dustin Parker and Captain John Fannin, Public Education and Fire Prevention Officer, outlined the department’s journey from its inception to its current status as a modernized, highly trained emergency response agency serving residents outside the Winnfield city limits.
A Legacy of Parish Service
The presentation was introduced by Kiwanian and former Fire Chief Troy Rogers, who reflected on the history of Fire District 3 and its deep ties to the community. Established in 1997 by the Winn Parish Police Jury under then-Police Jury President Lamar Tarver and Secretary Thelma Jarnigan, whose Grandson Kiwanian W. Bryan Price also served for several years as the President of the Fire District Board, the district was created to expand fire protection beyond municipal boundaries.
Chief Parker, who began his career as a junior firefighter in 2003 and joined District 3 as a career firefighter in August 2014, took over as interim chief in September 2023 before being named permanent fire chief in December 2023. Parker noted that the district now operates 14 fire stations strategically located throughout the parish, housing 37 pieces of equipment ranging from specialized UTV brush rigs to an 8,000-gallon water tanker stationed at 8920 Highway 501.
“The fire district averages around 250 incidents per year,” Chief Parker stated, noting that call volume for 2026 is currently on pace to hit that average, with 127 incidents recorded year-to-date compared to 92 at the same time last year.
Major Milestone: PIAL Grade Improved to Class 5
A major highlight of Chief Parker’s report was the department’s recent achievement in improving its Property Insurance Association of Louisiana (PIAL) rating from a Class 6 to a Class 5. PIAL ratings directly influence residential and commercial property insurance rates, with lower numbers representing better fire protection capabilities and potential premium savings for property owners.
Achieving a Class 5 rating in a rural parish presents unique structural challenges, particularly regarding water supply and staffing credit:
Water Supply: Rural areas lack continuous high-capacity pressurized water grids. To overcome this, District 3 maintains 76,000 total gallons of “water on wheels” across its mobile fleet to supply large pumper operations.
Staffing Standards: PIAL evaluation standards calculate off-duty or volunteer responders as half a person, meaning 28 responders are required on-scene to receive maximum personnel credit for a call. District 3 currently averages 6.6 firefighters per call.
Training Expansion: Under Chief Parker’s leadership, the total number of specialized professional certifications held collectively across the department has climbed from roughly 15 to over 110 certifications. A major driving force behind this increase in professional qualifications was the creation of a dedicated Training Officer position, now held by Training Officer Matthew Harrell. Harrell, who is the son of former City of Winnfield Fire Chief Edward Harrell, leads the department’s structured instruction programs. Through his targeted training offerings within District 3, members of the department have been able to earn and maintain their certifications, directly contributing to the district’s operational readiness and improved PIAL standing.
Chief Parker also addressed the rising capital costs of maintaining emergency infrastructure, pointing out that a standard fire engine purchased for $160,000 in 1997 costs between $400,000 and $500,000 today. Furthermore, standard protective turnout gear and breathing apparatus now cost approximately $10,000 per firefighter. Despite these financial pressures, District 3 continues to operate on its original voter-approved millage.
Community Outreach & Fire Prevention Bureau
Captain John Fannin detailed the district’s proactive community education initiatives, which are tailored to reach every demographic in Winn Parish:
Elementary Students (K–5th Grade): School programs focus on 911 emergency calling, learning home addresses, recognizing smoke alarm sounds, “Stop, Drop, and Roll,” and match/lighter safety.
Youth & Teens: Safety presentations cover fire extinguisher operation, ATV safety, firearm safety, and the dangers of distracted or impaired driving.
Seniors: Outreach at the Council on Aging and local libraries in Dodson, Atlanta, and Calvin focuses on fall prevention, trip hazard removal, space heater safety, and bath safety devices.
Commercial & Industrial: On-site fire extinguisher and safety training provided for local industrial workforces, including wood products mills like Weyerhaeuser in Dodson.
Captain Fannin highlighted the success of the department’s free smoke alarm program, operated in partnership with the American Red Cross and the Louisiana State Fire Marshall.
Over the past two years, District 3 has installed 425 free smoke alarms in 123 parish homes, protecting more than 323 residents. Bed-shaker alarms are also made available for hearing-impaired residents upon request.
Looking to the future, District 3 is working to formally establish a dedicated Fire Prevention Bureau. This bureau will consolidate public education, fire origin and cause investigations, and commercial pre-planning under a single division. Pre-planning involves mapping access routes, utility shut-offs, sprinkler systems, and building egress points for local schools, churches, and businesses into a computer database, giving responding firefighters immediate tactical information during an emergency.
Captain Fannin concluded by recognizing the ongoing partnership between Fire District 3 and the Winnfield Kiwanis Club, including the annual “Toys for Kids” boot drive held every November at the high school traffic light.
Pictured (L to R): Bryan Price (Kiwanian & former Fire District 3 board president), Captain John Fannin, Chief Dustin Parker, Ethel Howell (Kiwanian), and Troy Rogers (Kiwanian & WPFD3 volunteer).