Fire Prevention Month in Columbia was ushered in with the annual CRFD Fire Prevention Parade on Wednesday October 7.
For the second straight year the parade cruised through neighborhoods along Barhamville Road in Columbia passing by four area schools. Dozens of people lined the parade route as Columbia-Richland firetrucks and other participants made their way from W.A. Perry Middle School to the Charles R. Drew Wellness Center.
“It was a great joy for us to see so many teachers, faculty at the schools and students come out to cheer us on,” said Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins, “Ultimately this parade is about promoting the important message of fire safety in our communities and a big part of that is bringing it to our area youth. I am also thankful for the incredible support we get each year from area sponsors to make this event a great success.”
A Community Block Party was hosted at Drew Wellness Center following the parade featuring free food and giveaways. CRFD firetrucks were also joined in the parade procession by units from South Carolina State Fire, Kershaw County Fire Service, Lexington County Fire Service and the West Columbia Fire Department.
Each year the event is hosted to promote the important safety message of National Fire Prevention Week. This year that theme from the National Fire Protection Association is ‘Charge Into Fire Safety,’ which seeks to promote fire safe charging practices for battery-powered appliances.
View all the photos from this year’s parade by clicking here!
The Columbia-Richland Fire Department would like to thank our community sponsors who helped make this year’s Fire Prevention Parade a great success!!
Paul Davis Restoration
Sam’s Club on Harbison Boulevard
QuikFix Chef Andre Mack
State Farm Insurance (Agents Ruthlie Israel & Nora Hubbard)
Costco Wholesale
Natasha Thomas
Kimberly Bates
Tori Neumon
Terrance Dupree
Charles R. Drew Wellness Center
