Fire Department

Fire Facts

Children who start fires may be children in crisis, with the fires acting as cries for help from stressful life experiences or abuse, according to studies of fire-setting behavior.

Source: From NFPA's Children Playing with Fire, March 2005.

CFD shoulder patch logo

Fire Chief William Markgraf
Deputy Fire Chief Charles Witt

2010 Nationwide Fire Deaths
by the Numbers

0 - Number of local fire deaths to date in 2010.

277 - The number of civilian fire deaths recorded to date in 2010 according to the United States Fire Administration.

50 - The number of fire deaths recorded to date in multiple fatality fires. Significant, Multiple-Fatality Fires

Recalls which represent
fire and burn hazards -

The Columbia Fire Department is rated as an ISO Class 2 Department

To learn more about ISO and how
ratings affect the community and insurance rates, click the ISO logo.

Columbia Fire Department

Hot Topics -

Grand Opening Photos

The men and women of the Columbia Fire Department would like to thank everyone who attended the grand opening ceremony on Sunday, February 7, 2010. As always, we are humbled by your support for the Columbia Fire Department.

Fire Station 9 has been operational since Monday, February 1, 2010 and has responded to numerous calls for service.

This spring, additional landscaping will take place as the bio-retention ponds will be planeted and some additional bushes added. Also, watch this space for information concerning the progress and installation of the Percent for Art component which is expected to occur in the spring of 2010.

Columbia Fire Station 9 was made possible by the citizens of Columbia approving an extension of a 1/4 cent capital improvement sales tax in November of 2005 which is estimated to generate $13.6 million in improvements and enhancements to Columbia’s fire protection services.

For more information on Fire Station No. 9 including Fact Sheets, Artist Renderings, etc - click here . . .

Focus on Fire Safety - Heating Fire Safety

Heating Safety Graphic

USFA Releases Residential Building Heating Fires and Portable Heater Fires Topical Reports

EMMITSBURG, MD. – The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) announces the release of two special reports regarding heating fires and portable heater fires in residential buildings. An estimated average of 54,500 heating fires in residential buildings occurs each year in the United States. Annually, these fires are responsible for an estimated 190 civilian fire deaths, 625 civilian fire injuries, and $286 million in property loss.

Heating is the second leading cause of all residential building fires, following cooking, and is most prevalent during the winter when the use of central heating systems, portable heaters, and fireplaces is most common. Portable heaters account for an estimated average of 3,800 fires in residential buildings and result in 115 deaths, 250 injuries, and $98 million in property damage each year. Fifty percent of portable heater fires occur because the heat source is too close to combustibles.

The reports, Heating Fires in Residential Buildings and Portable Heater Fires in Residential Buildings, were developed by the USFA’s National Fire Data Center as part of its Topical Fire Report Series and are based on data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System (NFIRS) for 2005 to 2007. The reports examine the causes and characteristics of all heating fires and portable heater fires that occur in residential buildings.

Carbon Monoxide Deaths on the Rise -

The Columbia Fire Department and the Consumer Product Safety Commission remind you of the dangers of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning as winter arrives in full force across much of the country. Learn more . . .

United States Fire Administration Fire Safety Campaign

Learn more about this fire safety campaign by clicking here.

2009 International Fire Code Review

Codes Commission Meeting -

The International Fire Code review has concluded. A full report will be sent to the Building Construction Codes Commission in the near future for a full review and for comments. Watch this space for future updates and meeting dates and times.

Multiple Fatality Fires Continue to Rise during the Winter

Multiple Fatality Fires -

The number of multiple fatality fires, defined as a fire in which three or more people die, is starting to rise again with the home heating season kicking off. Click the link in the right purple margin titled "Significant Multiple Fatality Fires" to see the latest statistics, press releases, and causes of these deadly fires.
As of January 27, 2010, 13 multiple fatality fires across the United States have claimed the lives of 50 people; 20 children and 30 adults.

United States Fire Administration Releases Multiple Fatality Fire Report

Featured Information & Announcements

2008 United States Fire Loss Clock - view a pictorial of the fire loss problem in the US
Fire Station Staffing - Frequently Asked Questions
City of Columbia and Boone County Fire Protection District Fire Service Agreement

Most Requested

Fire and Life Safety Information

Residential Fire Sprinklers

Fire sprinkler systems are valuable life safety devices which are common in commercial buildings such as schools, shopping malls, office buildings, and warehouses. However residential fire sprinklers are being promoted by the fire service as a way to reduce the loss of life due to fire in the one building we all like to feel the safest in - our home. On average, over 2,800 people die in fire each year in their own home or apartment. Learn more about fire sprinklers by clicking on the links below or by calling us at 573-874-7556.

Children and Fire Safety

Did you know that 50 percent of child fire deaths affect those under the age of 5? Escaping from a fire can be difficult for very young children because they generally lack the motor skills and mental capabilities needed to quickly escape a burning building. Learn more . .

Campus and College Fire Safety

Campus Fire Safety

Check out the 9th Annual Fire Factor
- Check out the video of the event by clicking here
College Fire Safety Fact Sheet - From the NFPA

Every year college and university students experience a growing number of fire-related emergencies. There are several causes for these fires, however most are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention. Learn more . . .

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms save lives - there is no question about that. So why don't more people have working smoke alarms in their homes? Perhaps in these tough economic times they simply can't afford one. If you or someone you know who lives in Columbia needs a smoke alarm and can not afford one, call us at 573-874-7556 and we'll send fire fighters out to install free smoke alarms. We'll teach you how to test it and care for it and provide you with information you need to create a family fire escape plan.

We've partnered with the Columbia Professional Fire Fighters Local 1055 to ensure funding for this important project. We're working together to keep you, our customer, safe.

A message from the U.S. Fire Administration about smoke alarms.

Recent articles have placed some doubt that smoke alarms awaken children and some adults in the event of a fire in the home. While more research is needed to determine the facts surrounding these claims be assured of one thing -WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES!