Suppression Operations

Suppression Operations

 

The Columbia Fire Department’s suppression bureau operates from 32 strategically located fire stations and is responsible for effective responses to all emergencies including the safe mitigation of all fires, technical rescues, hazardous materials incidents, natural disasters, and medical calls for the City of Columbia and Richland County. Our suppression bureau employs 441 career Firefighters at full staffing as well as 100+ volunteers to operate 32 Fire Stations, in 5 Battalions, covering approximately 750 square miles with a population of 390,000 residents. These Firefighters operate 31 Engine Companies, 5 Ladder Companies, 5 Rescue Companies, 15 Water Tenders, and 16 Brush Trucks to mitigate all types of incidents.


 

Our Staff

 

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Christopher Kip

Assistant Chief of Operations

Chief Kip is the Operations Chief with two years as a volunteer and twenty years as a career member of the Columbia Fire Department. He believes that the strength of our organization must be built on communication, trust, and an understanding of our shared mission to serve.

 
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Daniel McManus

Special Operation Chief

After working in the fire service for nearly 23 years as a Rescue Chief and Assistant State Fire Marshal, he changed his career path to further pursue Emergency Response. As the Division Chief of Special Operations for the City of Columbia, Chief McManus says he is humbled and excited to take on the challenge to lead such a talented group of firefighters.

 
 

Suppression Division Chiefs

Kevin Hart

First Shift Division Chief

 

Chief Hart is the First Shift Division Chief with 30 years of experience with the Columbia Fire Department.  He has a passion teaching emergency preparedness and spending time traveling with his family.

Don Martin

Second Shift Division Chief

 

Scott L. Jacobs

Third Shift Division Chief

 

Chief Jacobs - a native of Richland County - has over 28 years of service to the Columbia Fire Department. He currently serves as the 3rd Shift Division Chief.  Servant leadership is his driving force.

 

Suppression Battalion Chiefs

These chiefs oversee each battalion.  A battalion consists of several fire stations and multiple fire companies in a geographic area. These chiefs work a twenty-four hour period commanding all firefighting, lifesaving, and fire prevention activities in an assigned district.

Robert Hughes

1st. Shift Battalion One

 

James Warf

1st Shift Battalion Two

 

Kareem Spain

1st Shift Battalion Three

 

Lorenzo Spell

1st Shift Battalion Four

 

Gregory Harrell

1st Shift Battalion Five

 

Clinton Lowery

2nd Shift Battalion One

 

Chad Harmon

2nd Shift Battalion Two

 

Thomas Niles

2nd Shift Battalion Three

 

Steven Fields

2nd Shift Battalion Four

 

Matthew Huffstetler

2nd Shift Battalion Five

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

David Laird

3rd Shift Battalion One

 

David Reed

3rd Shift Battalion Two

 

Philip Yarchuk

3rd Shift Battalion Three

 

Jason Herbert

3rd Shift Battalion Four

 

Christopher Branham

3rd Shift Battalion Five

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contact Person

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Assistant Chief of Operations Christopher Kip

1800 Laurel Street Columbia, S.C. 29201

Phone (803) 545-3703 Christopher.Kip@columbiasc.gov