OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) -- When it comes to the $0.01 sales tax in Opelousas one of the biggest conversations has been the impact it will make on first responders. Opelousas fire chief Bryan Chavis, has said that sales tax is going to be crucial if the fire department has any chance of moving forward.

"If the city loses that, then personnel won't be able to get hired," said Chavis. "We won't be able to continue our PIAL rating. We will have to close a fire station in order to get the personnel here at Central Station. Substations will get closed down. There's no ifs, ands or buts about it."

Chavis says the one cent sales tax provides critical funding the department needs to maintain operations. This includes running each of the substations in the city, which is only getting harder as the d

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