In the beginning, Benton's fire protection was provided by concerned
citizens in the early 1950's with a pump and tank mounted on a trailer. When a
call was received, the first firefighter to arrive at the station would pull the
trailer to the fire.
On October 12, 1953, the Town of Benton formally organized the Benton Volunteer
Fire Department and continued to serve Benton and the surrounding areas until
January 1989.
The Bossier Parish Police Jury created Benton Fire District No. 4 on November
10, 1987, BPPJ Ordinance No. 2096 of 1987. The first 10-mil Maintenance and
Operations tax was passed in April 1988. The fire district began providing fire
protection for the Town of Benton on January 1, 1989. The fire district was
comprised of one paid daytime firefighter and volunteer firefighters. A 1.5
million dollar bond issue was passed in October 1989 to fund five new two bay
fire stations and nine new engines.
In May 1997, a renewal for the 10-mil Maintenance and Operations tax was passed.
An additional 10-mil tax was passed in July 1998 to fund the hiring of a
full-time Fire Chief and firefighters. This also allowed for the purchase of a
ladder truck and rescue unit.
In 2011, Benton Fire District #4 openned Station #2 with three 24 hour shifts.
This brought the full time forces to one captain and three firefighters at
Station #1 and a captain and one firefighter at Station #2.