[StBernard] Fire Department losing 216 years of experience as eight veterans retire

[Westley Annis]

The St. Bernard Parish Fire Department is losing 216 years of experience as
eight veterans retire, leaving the department at 96 employees, its lowest
total in more than 20 years, Fire Chief Thomas Stone said.
 
Three more experienced department employees will retire by April, Stone
said.
St. Bernard Parish government proclaimed the eight as honored citizens
during the Nov. 21 Parish Council meeting.
 
The eight and their number of years with the department are Deputy Chief
Alex Seruntine, Deputy Chief Warren Drewes, Deputy Chief Armond Buuck,
District Chief Benjamin Navo and Capt. Donald Caruso, all with 28 years;
District Chief Andrew Vigueira and Capt. James Smith, both with 26 years;
and Capt. Eileen Dubreuil, 21 years.
 
"It will be difficult replacing all their experience,'' said Stone. "They
meant a lot to us. They have helped build one of the most respected
departments in the state.''
 
Promotions within the ranks have been made to replace them but at this time
the department isn't able to hire others to maintain the overall number of
firefighters, Stone said.
 
"It's a big loss to the people of St. Bernard,'' Council Chairman Joseph
DiFatta said of the retirees.
 
Parish President Henry "Junior'' Rodriguez said the Fire Department was a
mainstay during rescue efforts after Hurricane Katrina.