Hillsdale Volunteer Fire Department/ St. Helena Fire District 5

05/25/2026

Opal Bennett Rd. is currently closed near McDaniel road due to a broken gas meter and telephone pole. Please avoid the area.

05/04/2026

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐝𝐨𝐧’𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮—
𝐰𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐬 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞.

The long shifts.
The holidays celebrated on different days.
The empty seat at the table that everyone learns to work around.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬—
those who walk into the station knowing
they’ll miss moments they can’t get back,
and go anyway.

You show up when it’s hard,
when it’s inconvenient,
when it costs you time with the people you love most.

And still—
you choose to serve.

Not for recognition.
Not for applause.
But because someone, somewhere, will need you.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞.
𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥.

And to the families who hold it all together at home—
this calling is yours, too.

𝐖𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮.
𝐖𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮.
𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥.

𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐛𝐢𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬.

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬’ 𝐃𝐚𝐲!

❤️❤️

04/25/2026

Major pipeline explosion west of Pine Grove around Nesom Rd. Evacuations are underway.

Update: Evac radius is 1.5 miles from the area of Nesom Rd. on 16 West of Pine Grove.

04/24/2026

St. Helena fire fighters participated in Smoke Reading training with the match box prop. The prop simulates compartment fire conditions in a small, controlled, and safe setting for firefighters to view how to read smoke for flashover conditions. If you would like to know what a flashover is, Google it and watch some YouTube videos. These small scale trainings help prep us for the bigger trainings that create real conditions. Training makes sure we can still volunteer to respond another day.

04/18/2026

Just after 4pm, Hillsdale responded to a 3 vehicle accident on Hwy. 16 near the truck stops. Your stuffed animal donations were put to use today and were a big help. Thank yall for being a part of our response. Shortly after clearing the scene, District 4 received a call for a structure fire on Rhoner Rd. Hillsdale, Greensburg, North Helena, and District 2 all responded for assistance. The fire remained contained within the home.

04/15/2026

This evening, Hillsdale responded to an 18 wheeler on fire at Tall Timbers. Hillsdale requested assistance from St. Helena District 2, District 4, and Acadian. In St. Helena, we never fight alone. Today's fire was a great example of teamwork from multiple departments and disciplines. We appreciate all who came.

04/14/2026

Hillsdale is on scene at an 18 wheeler fire at Tall Timbers. Fire us under control at this time.

04/02/2026

Firefighters witnessed "something special" early Wednesday morning: a photo of Jesus that was intact following a fire.

04/02/2026

One of our fireman, Jason!

Congratulations to Capt. Jason Thompson on receiving the Louisiana Wing Emergency Services Senior Member of the Year Award and a Lifesaving Recognition!

In June 2025, Capt. Thompson demonstrated incredible courage and quick thinking when he responded to a child trapped in a pond. Acting without hesitation, he entered the water and was able to free the child and bring them safely to shore, preventing a tragic outcome.

This recognition highlights his selflessness, leadership, and commitment to serving others. His actions reflect the very best of Civil Air Patrol and the impact its members make in their communities.

04/01/2026

Hillsdale responded to a structure fire at 12:30 last night. Our brothers and sisters from District 2, District 4, and District 1 arrive to assist and witnessed something special. The fire melted and burned most things but left one picture unaffected.