Residents of Columbia’s Meadowfield neighborhood were treated to a day of fire-safety related fun as the community played host to the 2023 Fire Prevention Parade.
The parade began bright and early at the Hammond School on the morning of Saturday, October 7, 2023. Multiple CRFD firetrucks made their way from the school down Galway Lane and eventually arrived at Woodlands Park where a community block party was held. The department was joined by members of the Columbia City Council, the Richland County Council and community organizations as they marched alongside our firetrucks.
Pre-Parade Festivities at Hammond School
“It is truly exciting for us to bring this fire safety-focused event to our area communities each and every year,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “This allows us to focus on our neighborhoods and arm our citizens with the knowledge they need to prevent future fire-related emergencies. We are all stronger together and we can get there by coming together for educational events like this.”
The block party held post-parade at the park featured free food, fun games and plenty of fire safety information for guests to take in.
The parade and block party kicks off National Fire Prevention Week for the department and helped promote the theme of the 2023 campaign:
Here’s a few more great photos from the 2023 CRFD Fire Prevention Parade.
The 2023 CRFD Fire Prevention Parade was made possible thanks to the contributions and work of our many sponsors and volunteers. Our department would like to thank the following individuals and organizations for their support of fire safety education in our communities.
Sam’s Club on Harbison Boulevard
Firehouse Subs on Killian Road
Hardees on Fairfield Road
Triangle Lawn Games
Kroger on Forest Drive
Publix on Gervais Street
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts on Garners Ferry Road
Starbucks on Freed Street
The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli
State Farm Insurance (Ruthlie Israel, Nora Hubbard, Joe Virgo)
Lowe’s at Killian Crossing
Tori Neumon (The Event Planner)
Domino’s on Garners Ferry Road
McDonald’s on Forest Drive
Sanquanetta Coleman (Costcos)
Black Ivori Solutions
Staff members at Woodlands Park.
The logistics and fire prevention staff of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department.
CRFD would also like to thank Kelvin Patterson, Natasha Thomas, Kimberly Bates, Jarvis, Stefen Harris, Romea Boston and all of our volunteers and parade participants who helped make the event a success.
