The Columbia Fire Department is seeking both candidates with previous firefighter work experience and those without. The Department is the largest in the state and is responsible for serving nearly 500,000 citizens within the City of Columbia and Richland County. The Columbia Fire Department responds to 35,000-40,000 emergency incidents per year , protecting both rural and densely populated urban areas. Fully staffed, the Columbia Fire Department has 500 personnel covering 31 fire stations.
