Doris Langlinais Jr. appreciates his opportunity to lead Abbeville Fire Department

Doris Langlinais Jr. has spent nearly the past 30 years with the Abbeville Fire Department.
Langlinais currently has the opportunity to lead that department as its chief. He stepped into the role on a temporary basis following Jude Mire’s retirement on Dec. 18. Mire had served as chief since January of 2014.
The Abbeville City Council voted 5-0 to ratify Langlinais’ appointment as temporary chief during its meeting on Tuesday. The council also approved setting the base pay for the temporary fire chief at $81,112 before State Supplemental, which is 2% below the previous fire chief’s base pay.
“I certainly appreciate this consideration during this time,” Langlinais said during the meeting. “I look forward to the opportunity.”
Langlinais has experience as a chief, having served in that role with the Seventh Ward Volunteer Fire Department. He has also worked as the fire coordinator for the Vermilion Parish Police Jury. Langlinais joined the department in Abbeville 28 years ago.
“I have a long history with the department,” Langlinais said. “It’s been much of my adult life with the Abbeville Fire Department.
“I certainly look to continue my career here.”
Mayor Roslyn White said last month that Civil Service testing, which is set by the Office of the Louisiana Fire Marshal, will be a precursor to the naming of a permanent chief. Details and a timeline of that process have not been finalized as of this week. White said Langlinais provides a steady hand in the meantime.
“He is well respected in the department,” White said. “All of the firefighters that I interviewed said he would make a great chief.
“Thank you for taking on the job, and we appreciate it.”
Councilman Francis Plaisance commended White’s move to appoint Langlinais.
“He’s going to do a good job,” Plaisance said.
It is one that Langlinais said he will not take for granted.
“The opportunity as fire chief is a great achievement,” Langlinais said.