If there”s something strange in your neighborhood, who are you going to call? Probably Columbus Fire and Rescue.
Reflecting the ever-evolving role of the Fire and Rescue Department, all 71 employees gave oaths to protect the community from “fire and all manner of harm” Tuesday at the city”s municipal complex.
Columbus Fire Chief Kenneth Moore told a standing-room only crowd that since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, many firefighters have stepped into new roles as first responders at disasters like Hurricane Katrina.
“If an emergency occurs and it doesn”t fit anywhere else, we get it,” Moore said.
The Columbus Fire and Rescue”s list of duties goes “on and on” and includes building inspections, public safety education and responding to collapsed structures, Moore said.
When Capt. Andy Grant joined Fire and Rescue, he said, the department responded to about 500 fire calls a month. Now, he said, the department responds to about 2,500 calls, mostly medical.
“We”ve come a long way,” Grant added.
Structure fires, which have become rare thanks to public education and preventative measures, are the “least of what we do today,” Moore said.
Columbus Mayor Robert Smith, Mississippi Homeland Security Deputy Director Jim Lee and Mississippi Fire Academy Director Reggie Bell publicly thanked first responders at the ceremony.
Lee said he worked alongside Columbus first responders when his hometown of Yazoo City was ravaged by tornadoes.
“You have money in the bank that says Columbus will be there when you need them,” Lee said.
Moore closed his remarks at the ceremony by saying that Fire and Rescue couldn”t have evolved without the community”s support.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 43 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.