Columbia Firefighters Association - IAFF Local 793

05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. Many of our members are veterans, and we recognize the dedication, sacrifice and strength it takes to serve both in the military and in the fire service.

Today, we remember those who gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy every day.

05/07/2026

This Mental Health Awareness Month, remember that support is always available.

As Local 793 members, you have access to additional resources to access mental health support outside of the City of Columbia’s Employee Assistance Programs.

If you’re struggling, overwhelmed, or simply need someone to talk to, use the resources available to you. Looking after our members will always remain a priority at Local 793.

04/23/2026

An investigation by The Post and Courier revealed that firefighters with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department have been living in deteriorating, and in some cases, unsafe, firehouses for years.

04/22/2026

🚨 Fire Advisory Committee Meeting – Public Notice 🚨

The Columbia-Richland Fire Department will host its Fire Advisory Committee Meeting on:

📅 April 22, 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM
📍 2020 Hampton Street, 4th Floor Conference Room
Columbia, SC 29204

This meeting will include important updates and discussions impacting fire services and public safety across our community.

Agenda Highlights:
- Staffing Update
- Facilities Update
- EMS/Fire Efficiency Modeling
- Insurance Cost Recovery
- Next Meeting Date

An Executive Session will also be held to discuss contractual negotiations regarding a proposed City-County Intergovernmental Agreement.

Community members are encouraged to stay informed and engaged as these discussions shape the future of fire and emergency services in Columbia and Richland County.

04/21/2026

We will never stop advocating for our people and safe, healthy work environments.

An investigation by The Post and Courier revealed that firefighters with the Columbia-Richland Fire Department have been living in deteriorating, and in some cases, unsafe, firehouses for years.

03/25/2026

We appreciate WIS TV reaching out to us for comment on the closure of Firehouse 14.

Our firefighters deserve better.

Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins has shut down Fire Station 14 in Dentsville, citing deteriorating conditions and safety concerns for firefighters.

Full story below.

03/25/2026

Columbia Professional Firefighters Statement on Closure of Firehouse 14

The temporary closure of Firehouse 14 has a tangible impact on the safety and protection of the Dentsville community and surrounding areas. When a fire station is taken out of service, response times can be affected, crews may be asked to cover a wider area, and the overall demand on the system increases.

We appreciate the leadership of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department for prioritizing firefighter safety in this decision. Removing personnel from a facility with unsafe conditions was the right call, and we are grateful that the well-being of our firefighters
remains a top priority.

Firehouse 14 plays an important role in the department’s response system. In 2025, it responded to 2,393 calls, the third-highest call volume in the department. Across Columbia-Richland, 49 percent of calls are Rescue and EMS incidents, and 12 percent involve motor vehicle crashes. These numbers reflect the essential demand for emergency services in this area.

While the closure addresses immediate safety concerns within the facility, it also highlights the need for continued investment in infrastructure and long-term planning. In 2025, Space Needs Assessments were conducted for several stations to evaluate
conditions and identify improvements in firefighter health, safety, and operational efficiency. Firehouse 14 was not included in those assessments, and this moment underscores the importance of ensuring all stations are evaluated and supported moving forward.

The City of Columbia has earned and maintained an ISO Class 1 Public Protection Classification, the highest rating awarded by the Insurance Services Office. That distinction reflects a strong commitment to fire protection and service delivery, and it
benefits the community every day.

The Columbia Professional Firefighters Association Local 793 remains committed to working alongside department leadership and city officials to ensure both firefighter safety and community protection stay at the forefront. We stand with the firefighters affected by this closure and the citizens who rely on them every day.

03/20/2026

The closure of Firehouse 14 is a deeply concerning decision with serious implications for the safety of both our firefighters and the community we are sworn to protect.

Firehouses are not simply buildings, they are critical infrastructure and, for many of us including our loved ones, a second home where they came to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays with their firefighters.They represent response capability, lifesaving capacity, and the constant presence of highly trained professionals ready to act at a moment’s notice.

The loss of Firehouse 14 will inevitably increase response times, place additional strain on surrounding companies, and elevate risk for both citizens and first responders.

We do want to acknowledge and express our appreciation to command staff for their swift actions in addressing this situation. We recognize the complexity of these decisions and the effort required to respond quickly under challenging circumstances.

We remain unwavering in our commitment to advocating for safe staffing levels, adequate resources, and the preservation of operational readiness. The firefighters of this city will continue to serve with professionalism and dedication, but we will not remain silent when decisions compromise the safety of our members and the communities we serve

03/19/2026

Today, members of the Local 793 executive board met with Mayor Daniel Rickenmann and City of Columbia staff to share ideas for enhancing mental health outreach across the Columbia-Richland Fire Department. With insight from USC psychology professors, the conversation focused on meaningful ways to better support the firefighters who serve our community every day.

From left to right: Robert McConnell, Vice President, Dr. Luz Robinson, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Dr. Lindsay McCary, Clinical Professor, Department of Psychology, and Josh Moskaitis, President

03/18/2026

After 30 years of service, Captain Sami Sanders is retiring from the fire service.

Throughout his career, Captain Sanders has been a dedicated member of the Columbia Professional Firefighters Association, Local 793, standing alongside his fellow firefighters and supporting the mission of our union. His commitment to the profession and to the firefighters he served with has made a lasting impact.

Local 793 thanks Captain Sanders for his decades of service and wishes him the very best in retirement. Please join us in congratulating him on an incredible career!