02-10-20 Regular Meeting of the La Porte City Council

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Recognition of the Retirement of Donald Ladd, Assistant Fire Chief Donald Ladd started his career with the La Porte Fire Department in October of 1985 as a volunteer firefighter. Donald continued a long tradition of firefighting as his grandfather Earl Ladd, was the Fire Chief in Muleshoe, Texas area for 25 a member of La Porte Fire Department from 1972 to 2008, achieving the rank of Asst. Chief. As a child, Donald was in the fire station all the time until he was old enough to join the department as a volunteer member. The love for the department that started well before he was old enough to join made perfect since as a career path for Donald. Donald moved from the volunteer ranks in January 1989 when he was hired as a career firefighter and was assigned to Station 4 and later in his career, moving to Station 2. In 2009, long-time Asst. Chief John Dunham retired, opening a position in the administration ranks of the department. Donald was promoted to Asst. Chief and became the supervisor for career personnel and managed day-to-day activities of the departmentis a volunteer position. Donald was instrumental in many department activities such as: training; purchasing initiatives that Donald brokered with Sutphen Corp. for fire trucks, which has saved the City thousands of dollars; the construction of Fire Station 1; and the creation of the Fire Control and Emergency Services District, which now contributes in excess of $1 million dollars to the City budget annually. Managing the La Porte Fire Department organization that consists of a combination of career and volunteer firefighters, is a huge challenge that requires an in-depth understanding and appreciation for both career and volunteer groups having been raised in the department as a volunteer and later a career firefighter made him a perfect fit for the Asst. Chiefs position that he has held for the last 11 years. During that 11 years, Donald has responded day and night to calls and in addition, attended department training sessions every Tuesday night, only missing when he was out of town. Outside of the department, Donald had other passions. He has continued to be involved with the La Porte High School annual theatrical musicals and to get away from city life, he loved his time relaxing and fishing at his lake house. On February 21, 2020, Donald will be hanging up his bunker gear as he retires after more than 34 years of service with the La Porte Fire Department. In true dedication form, Donald has submitted his application to the volunteer organization so that he can continue being a firefighter after his retirement until he finalizes his move from La Porte to his lake house. Donald, we bid you a fond farewell, and thank you for your years of dedicated service to the fine citizens of La Porte.