This year now marks the fifth consecutive one that the Columbia-Richland Fire Department has been recognized for its work preventing fires in our communities.
The department was once again named a ‘Fire Safe SC Community’ by Fire Safe South Carolina. This came in response to CRFD’s continuing efforts to promote fire safety and education with our citizens during the year 2023.
“Those type of programs all fall under the umbrella of Community Risk Reduction (CRR) and they are just as important to our department as our work responding to fires and other emergencies,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “Here at CRFD we not only strive to be there for our citizens during a time of crisis but we also want to do everything we can to prevent emergencies from occurring in the first place. Knowledge is truly the best tool we can give our citizens to help keep them safe.”
CRFD officially was recognized for their recent ‘Fire Safe SC’ community designation during the annual state Fire-Rescue in Myrtle Beach in June. Fire Captain James Bostic attended to accept the honor on behalf of the department.
In addition to providing 211 fire safety presentations and installing more than 300 free alarms in area homes during 2023, CRFD also launched several new projects over the course of the year that focused on Community Risk Reduction. In the fall, the department unveiled its new ‘Community Connect’ portal, which is now available to residents and property owners in the City of Columbia and Richland County.
The new program allows citizens to provide information on their properties that can be used ahead of an emergency situation. This can include the location of spare keys and utility shut-offs, property layout information, details on pets and much more.
