City Departments
Fire Department Main Phone Number: (662)329-5121 The volunteer fire department of the 1880's and "gay Nineties" in Columbus, MS was a vital and exciting part of the life of the community. What it lacked in modern equipment, it made up in color, vigor, and social prestige. Representing a cross section of the male population, both black and white, it included five companies: the Lurline, the Luxapalila, the Hercules Hook and Ladder Company, the Coal Cart, and the Rough and Ready who were all dedicated to extinguishing the frequent fires which threatened the beautiful hilltop town overlooking the Tombigbee River. There was much rivalry and competition among the companies, and each fire was the occasion of an exciting race and the laurels went to the company that was successful in the throwing the first stream on the building. Today, the Columbus Fire and Rescue Department, based at five stations and made up of 71 full-time men and women, is still dedicated to fighting fires as well as educating the public in fire prevention. Columbus Fire and Rescue specialty teams in EMT-Basic, Extrication, Hazardous Materials, Rope Rescue/Confined Space, and Dive and Rescue, as well as Fire and Life Safety education and Fire Code enforcement train over 12,000 documented hours yearly at the local stations, the MS Fire Academy, the National Fire Academy, as well as other recognized outstanding training facilities across the nation. Columbus Fire and Rescue is proud of the work and service they do for the City of Columbus as they continue the excellent tradition of the first fire fighters of the community of the past. |
