02/25/2026
Our thoughts and prayers go out to our St. George Fire Department Brothers and Sisters and to the family and friends of Chief Dwaynne Ardeneaux. Rest Easy Chief !!
It is with profound sadness we announce the passing of Chief of Fire Prevention Dwaynne Ardeneaux.
Chief Ardeneaux dedicated 26 years of service to the St. George Fire Protection District, beginning his career in 1999 as a Firefighter/Operator. Over more than two decades, he rose through the ranks through hard work, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to service, ultimately serving as Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau.
In the 2010s, Dwaynne was one of the first Captains to help spearhead the Rescue and Special Operations program. He served 18 years on the St. George Rescue Team and was also a member of the Louisiana State Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) Team. He concluded his suppression career as Captain of Squad 635 before transitioning into Fire Prevention.
Chief Ardeneaux held a Bachelor of Science degree in Animal Science from Louisiana State University and an Associate’s Degree in Fire Science from LSU Eunice. Earlier in his career, he worked in a laboratory testing fuel oils for flash point, fire point, and flame point—experience that provided him with a unique technical perspective in fire investigations. He was also a certified Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician (NREMT).
In 2020, he completed the C.A.R.T.A. P.O.S.T. Academy and earned dual law enforcement commissions—one with the St. George Fire Department for fire investigations and another with the East Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office—demonstrating his commitment to strong collaboration between fire service and law enforcement.
During his time in Fire Prevention, Chief Ardeneaux worked tirelessly to foster a culture grounded in a duty to act with community safety at the forefront. He eagerly embraced arson investigations and built strong relationships with numerous major organizations throughout the area.
Under his leadership, the Fire Prevention Bureau achieved an impressive 70% arson arrest rate—more than double the national average. He developed and led a team of arson investigators that was second to none—professionals who approached their work with seriousness, humility, empathy, and an unwavering commitment to public safety.
Chief Ardeneaux also played a significant role in the growth of the newly established City of St. George, authoring and implementing ordinances that strengthened community protection and improved the quality of life for its residents.
Chief Dwaynne Ardeneaux’s career was defined by leadership, technical expertise, integrity, and a deep love for the community he served. His legacy will live on in the department he helped build, the city he helped shape, and the countless lives he impacted along the way.
To say we will miss Chief Ardeneaux is an understatement. His unwavering commitment to service, combined with his empathetic approach to our community during their times of need, is one to be admired and emulated for years to come.
We can only hope to make him proud as we
carry forward the legacy he built.
Rest easy, Chief. We’ll take it from here.
