Latest news with #ColumbiaFire&Rescue
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbia Fire & Rescue announces addition of new tanker
COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WKRN) — One Maury County fire department announced the addition of new 2025 Fire Master Tanker to their fleet. Columbia Fire & Rescue added a vehicle with a 2,000-gallon water tank and a 1,250 gallon-per-minute pump. In addition to the massive tank, the truck is equipped with fire houses and other firefighting tools so that it can serve as a secondary pumper when needed. City leaders said it's the first tanker of its kind for the department and will help keep the agency prepared in any emergency situation. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More 'Preparedness is a responsibility we take seriously,' Fire Chief Chris Cummins said in a press release. 'While we hope we never face a situation where water supply becomes an issue during a fire response, this tanker ensures we're ready if that moment comes. It's about supplementing what we already have and giving our crews every possible advantage when lives and property are at risk.' The City of Columbia and the Maury County Fire Department collaborate through an Automatic Aid Agreement, which helps ensure mutual assistance and resource sharing during emergency response. Maury County Fire units will continue to dispatch their tankers to help with water supply for structure fires within city limits. 'Every major equipment purchase involves careful consideration,' City Manager Tony Massey said. 'This tanker will serve Columbia for many years to come, and we believe it will prove to be a valuable asset in protecting both our residents and our firefighters.' The tanker is expected to be placed into service on May 12 following an equipment installation and personnel training. Columbia Fire & Rescue leaders hope this tanker will serve Columbia for years to come. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Columbia partners with Safe Haven Baby Boxes for installation at Fire Station No. 1
The city of Columbia announced a partnership with Safe Haven Baby Boxes to install a life-saving Baby Box at the newly-renovated Columbia Fire Station No. 1, 1000 S. Garden St. This installation provides an anonymous, safe and secure option for parents in crisis to surrender their newborns, ensuring that each infant receives immediate medical care and the opportunity for adoption. The Tennessee Safe Haven law allows mothers of newborns to surrender unharmed babies to designated facilities—such as fire stations, hospitals and law enforcement agencies—within two weeks of birth without fear of prosecution. As long as the baby is unharmed and the child is surrendered within this timeframe, the mother—or parents—will not face prosecution and are assured complete confidentiality. This law was enacted to reduce unsafe abandonment of infants, providing parents with a safe and compassionate alternative. More: Columbia's new restaurants of 2024 include tastes from around the world and more Designed with innovative safety features, Safe Haven Baby Boxes are installed on the exterior walls of approved infant surrender locations. Each box features a locking exterior door that automatically engages when a newborn is placed inside, and an interior door allows medical personnel to promptly retrieve the infant, ensuring immediate attention and care. This system offers both safety for the baby and peace of mind for the parents, providing a lifeline during a difficult time, a city press release said. Every year, countless infants are abandoned across the U.S., according to the release. "These heartbreaking situations often arise when parents face emotional and practical challenges that lead to desperate decisions. The installation of Safe Haven Baby Boxes addresses this critical need by offering an anonymous, secure way for parents to surrender their infants, giving newborns a chance for a safe beginning and a brighter future," the release said. Nick Brown, Deputy Chief of Columbia Fire & Rescue said the initiative will offer a compassionate solution for a crisis situation. 'We are proud to be part of this vital mission to protect the most vulnerable members of our community,' said Nick Brown, Deputy Chief of Columbia Fire & Rescue. 'The Baby Box represents a compassionate and immediate solution for parents who find themselves in crisis, and we are committed to ensuring that this service is available to those in need.' More: Columbia receives clean audit report for 2024 fiscal year Since its founding, Safe Haven Baby Boxes has been dedicated to raising awareness about the Safe Haven Law and installing Baby Boxes in locations across the U.S. Through this initiative, SHBB helps ensure that no child is left without care and that no parent feels hopeless in a time of crisis, the press release said. Safe Haven Baby Boxes is leading the installation of the Baby Box at Fire Station No. 01, with support from the City of Columbia. Over a dozen cities around the state like Jackson, Knoxville, Hendersonville, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga and Oak Ridge have Safe Haven Baby Boxes locations. More: 12 emergency sirens to be funded by grant in Columbia following May tornado For more information or to donate, visit This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Columbia partners with Safe Haven Baby Boxes at Fire Station No. 1
