The fire chief of the Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department in New Orleans has passed away. The FPVFD announced the passing of Chief Chuck Schmalz in a Facebook post Saturday. According to the post, Schmalz was a 40-year member of the volunteer fire department and a lifelong resident of the Lake Catherine community. Kirk Jacobs, the president on behalf of the Fort Pike Volunteer Fire Department Board asks to please keep his entire family in your thoughts and prayers.