Video: City Leaders Agree To Improve Fire And Rescue Response

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Columbus, Miss. (WCBI) — The Mayor and Columbus city council agreed to many requests made by Columbus Fire and Rescue to improve their emergency response abilities.

City leaders decided to fund the brand new, 9,000 sq. ft. fire station that will replace fire station 4 on Airline Road.

The current fire station 4 has been in operation since 1950, and many of the equipment being used is over 60 years old.

Columbus Fire and Rescue Chief Martin Andrews said the station is “old and outdated”, and that it currently does not have the means to provide for the new equipment used by first reponders today.

The council also approved the purchase of a new E.M.S. response vehicle that will help fire and rescue limit the amount of resources that go into every emergency call.

The vehicle, which will be a Chevy Tahoe, will be used as a first call option for first responders.

Andrews said the vehicle will allow Fire and Rescue to respond to emergency calls without having to use an entire fire truck crew and the move gives the department more man-power in case a larger emergency like a house or business fire occurs.

City councilman Charlie Box said the city can make these upgrades and also stay within a reasonable budget.

“There’ll be some savings…and plus over the years, it will protect the life of our bigger fire trucks which, again, saves [the public] taxes…”, said Box.

Andrews also explained what the advantages will be with the new upgrades.

“The response time…can be cut, in some areas, probably in half…”, explained Andrews, “…because the manuverability of the car, the quickness of the car, and you know, its just a lot safer.”

The timetable Columbus Fire and Rescue hopes the new station will be up and running is within the next year.

The new station will also feature a training facility.

The response vehicles cannot be purchased until the beginning of the new budget year which starts October 1st.

The upgrades also allows Fire and Rescue to hire 6 more emergency personnel.

Andrews was also extremely grateful for the willingness of the mayor and city council to assist the fire department with their needs.

LPK Architecture from Biloxi, J5, Neel Schaffer, and Public Works are all assisting the fire department with the project.