Acadiana's News Leader Lafayette FD Statue in Need of Repair

The heart and soul of the Lafayette Fire Department is falling apart, and people out there in Acadiana are partly the blame.

Two firefighters built this statue back in the seventies.  But now, you can see cracks in parts of the statue.

Of course, wear and tear are taking their toll on the concrete firefighter.  But it doesn't help that people jump on the statue, even hanging on some parts of it, something very disrespectful for what firefighters take pride in.

"They see a hard-working individual who's out there protecting Lafayette property for everyone else. That's what they're a part of and that's why they joined this organization."

Chief Benoit says furthermore, he's asking people to refrain from taking inappropriate photos with the statue, and to give the monument the honor and respect it represents.

To help ensure protection of the statue, firefighters will be donating their time and money to put a fence around it.