Browse GoColumbiaMo.com Skip top Navigation. Translate this page
Fire Chief
Charles P Witt, Jr.
Deputy Fire Chief
Randall White
Fire Marshal
Brad Frazier
The City of Columbia
Service Standards for Customer Service:
Responsive
Professional
Helpful
Knowledgeable
Friendly
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.
For more information on flood safety, please visit: www.floodsafety.noaa.gov
Burn Permits required
The Columbia Fire Department reminds everyone that a permit to burn is required for the kindling or maintaining of an open fire or a fire on any public street, alley, road or other public or private ground.
Recreational fires such as those used for cooking are allowed without a burn permit. (less than 3 feet in diameter and height)
For more information contact the Columbia Fire Department at 573-874-7392, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 5pm.
Severe Weather Can Strike at Anytime!
"Events of the past year have served as a wake-up call for all of us to not take any severe weather threat lightly," says Interim OEM Director Scott Olson. " There's no way to prevent a tornado, but we can greatly reduce the risk of injury and death by being properly prepared."
Olson encourages individuals, families, businesses, schools, government agencies and hospitals to review their disaster plans, which include knowing how to prepare for a severe weather event, how to protect yourself and others during the event, and what to do in the aftermath of a disaster.
The Office of Emergency Management has a number of publications to help prepare for severe weather. Anyone interested in these publications can find links to them, as well as information on all types of threats, hazards and preparation, on the OEM website www.gocolumbiamo.com/EM, or by contacting the office at (573) 874-7400.
Smart911 is a web based software which allows you to provide critical safety information to first responders. You can enter as much or as little information as you wish in the Smart911 database which is visible only to local 911 and emergency responders. The information you enter can provide valuable information to first responders when seconds count.
Sign up today.
The 2009 International Fire Code took effect on Monday, May 9, 2011. Print a copy of the local amendments.
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.
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!
Each year college and university students, on- and off-campus, experience hundreds of fire-related emergencies nationwide. There are several specific causes for fires on college campuses, including cooking, intentionally set fires, and open flame. Overall, most college-related fires are due to a general lack of knowledge about fire safety and prevention. According to information complied by Campus FireWatch, the great majority of student fire deaths occur in off-campus housing that lacks insufficient exits, missing or inoperative smoke alarms, and automatic fire sprinklers. Also, use of candles, careless smoking habits, and the misuse of alcohol—which impairs judgment and hampers evacuation efforts —contribute to off-campus housing fire deaths.
As the Fall semester approaches, colleges and universities are busy preparing for the arrival of new residents to their campus communities. Some will be first year students moving into the residence halls. Other arriving students will be moving off-campus and living on their own, some for the first time. For most of these students, the last fire safety training they received was in grade school; but with new independence comes new responsibilities. It is important that both off-campus and on-campus students understand fire risks and know the preventative measures that could save their lives.
Learn the facts about campus fire safety and be fire-wise! Learn more . . .
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 . .
Adults age 65 and older are at a higher risk of death from fire than any other age group. According to the USFA report Fire in the United States Fifteenth Edition, older adults account for approximately 32 percent of all fire deaths. Fire prevention and planning are key elements in reducing the risk of deaths and injuries from fire. In the event of a fire, remember that every second counts, so you and your family must always be prepared.
Smoking Fires
Every year, almost 1,000 smokers and non-smokers are killed in home fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials. The U.S. Fire Administration is working to help prevent home fire deaths and injuries caused by smoking materials. Fires caused by cigarettes and other smoking materials are preventable.
Review the latest planning tips from the Department of Homeland Security.
201 Orr Street
Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-7391 M-F 8 am to 5 PM NON EMERGENCY ONLY
573-874-7450 weekends and after-hours NON EMERGENCY ONLY
573.874.7446 - fax
Follow Us: