Columbia, MO Fire Department

Please join us in congratulating the following members of the Columbia Fire Department on 20 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Columbia. Lieutenant Greg Hrdina, Assistant Fire Chief Brad Fraizer, Battalion Chief Eric Caszatt, Chief Training Officer Lisa Todd, Battalion Chief Andy Gray, Captain Justin Collins, Engineer Chris Babich, Assistant Fire Marshal Rachel Smith and Lieutenant Ron Fisher. Thank you for your service to our community!

We are very proud of the members of Columbia Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1055 for their efforts towards this generous donation and profoundly grateful for the work of the Harris Breast Center on behalf of our very own, Rachel Smith. Thank you!

Vent, Enter, Search (VES) training today on shift one. This is a follow up from previous department wide VES training and focused on victim removal from a second story using a ground ladder. #ALWAYSReady

We sheltered in the State Emergency Operations Center during the Missouri Statewide Tornado Drill. Do you know where you would shelter in your home. Check out this Missouri StormAware video for pointers: https://www.youtube.com/watch

Every second counts, do you have a home fire escape plan? For more information please visit - https://bit.ly/3sCeYhl or contact us at [email protected].

More ice rescue training on shift one at Perry Phillips Lake. #ALWAYSReady

2 MINUTE CITIZEN SURVEY We want to hear from the citizens we serve and appreciate you taking the time to complete this brief survey. Click on the following link to give us your feedback:https://bit.ly/34jFGSq

2020 Calls For Service

Basic Recruit Class BRS2020-1 learning about our Quint fire trucks from the crew at station seven, shift three. Seven of the Columbia Fire Department's twelve front line trucks are Quints. A Quint, or quintuple combination pumper, serves the dual purpose of an engine and ladder truck. It gets it's name because of the five functions that it provides - a water pump, water tank, fire hose, aerial device (large aerial ladder) and ground ladders.

More training today at Boone Electric Cooperative with Coil Construction. Some of the drills involved advancing charged, large diameter hose. This is heavy hose and hard work but necessary to get a lot of water on larger fires. #ALWAYSReady

So glad that Columbia, MO Fire Department was able to get some good training practice in before demolition at Boone Electric Cooperative. Thank you for everything you do for our community! #BuildingABetterCommunity

Basic Recruit Class BRS2020-1 learning hazardous material decontamination techniques at fire station 9. Hazardous material training is one of many disciplines all Columbia Fire Department personnel train and prepare for. #ALWAYSReady

Large diameter hose advancement and search and rescue training at Boone Electric Cooperative along with Coil Construction. This tremendous training opportunity allows us to fine tune techniques critical in saving lives and conserving property. A big Thank You to Boone Electric Cooperative and COIL Construction for this almost week long training opportunity. #ALWAYSReady

Today we were privileged to participate in an honor walk for a patient discharging home. Thank you to University of Missouri Police Department, Columbia, MO Fir...e Department, Saline County Ambulance District, Marshall, MO Fire Department Marshall Missouri Police Department for all joining in the celebration of life for this patient #EMS #Ambulance See more

Snow forecasted overnight and through the morning hours. Public Works will have an eight person crew in overnight in anticipation. Please plan on giving yourself a little extra time in the morning and drive carefully.

Do you have a winter survival kit in your car? A few minutes of preparation can go a long way if you find yourself stranded during winter weather. Here's a few other safety tips to keep in mind as winter weather starts to move in: Plan before you travel - Simple planning can save you trouble and save your life. Prepare your vehicle - Be sure your vehicle is in good winter driving condition. Prepare a winter survival kit and keep it in your vehicle.... Be aware of the weather - Listen to forecasts, road reports and storm warnings. Dress appropriately. Make yourself easy to find - Tell someone where you are going and the route you will take. If you get stuck, conserve your battery, only use your emergency flashers when you see vehicles approaching. Stay in your vehicle - Walking in a storm can be very dangerous. Your vehicle is a good shelter.

Tip for a greener Halloween - The Switch Witch. I’d like to thank whichever smart person invented the concept of the Switch Witch, who comes to children on Hall...oween night, replacing their candy with a prize of your choosing. After all, kids don’t need all that candy! But neither do their parents, so what to do with the overflow (once you’ve sorted out the good stuff for yourself, of course!)? Operation Gratitude, which ships the candy to U.S. Troops, is one possibility. Other local options include dropping it off at children’s hospitals, homeless shelters or food pantries, or nursing homes. Make sure to call first to make sure they will accept the donation due to Covid-19. https://www.parents.com//avoid-halloween-candy-overload-w/ https://www.operationgratitude.com/ Think differently. Think sustainably.

Unfortunately, due to covid-19 the Columbia Fire Department will not be hosting our annual open house at fire station 9. We encourage everyone to attend 'Drive-Boo Trick-or-Treat' at Cosmo Park on Halloween. This fun, safe, family event is hosted by Columbia Parks and Recreation and we will be there too!

The children got to see a fire truck and learn about fire safety today. Thank you to the three fire fighters that visited our school!

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch until Saturday, October 17th at 7pm. There is a high potential for the development of conditions that could lead to natural cover fires. This includes relative humidity less than 15% and wind gusts of 25 mph or greater. Outdoor fires for cooking or warming should be avoided and extreme caution should be taken when disposing of smoking material, hot coals from barbecuing, etc.

Today Sophia McKague, daughter of Nick McKague (Funeral Director), was able to deliver donuts to our local fire stations! These donuts were purchased by our fun...eral home to benefit a Christian Fellowship School fundraiser. Thank you, Columbia firefighters, for keeping us safe! Columbia, MO Fire Department

The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch until Wednesday, October 14th at 6pm. There is a high potential for the development of conditions that could lead to natural cover fires. This includes relative humidity less than 15% and wind gusts of 25 mph or greater. Outdoor fires for cooking or warming should be avoided and extreme caution should be taken when disposing of smoking material, hot coals from barbecuing, etc.

Basic recruit class BRS2020-1, week two. Today’s physical fitness included thirty minutes of exercise in the drill tower with air packs on. Good job!

Throwback Thursday