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5 Critical Updates: What The Columbia-Richland Fire Department Is Doing Right Now In 2025

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The City of Columbia, SC Fire Department, officially known as the Columbia-Richland Fire Department (CRFD), is currently undergoing a significant period of modernization and strategic expansion in 2025. This year has been marked by major infrastructure projects, key staffing advancements, and a renewed focus on both community and firefighter safety, ensuring the department remains a professional emergency response leader for Richland County residents. The CRFD's commitment extends beyond emergency calls, actively engaging in community risk reduction and pioneering new safety protocols.

As of this current date, December 2025, the department is finalizing its Fiscal Year 2025/2026 budget priorities and moving forward with a state-of-the-art new fire station construction, demonstrating a clear vision for improving response times and service capacity across the growing Columbia metropolitan area. The following is a detailed look at the most critical and up-to-date initiatives defining the CRFD’s mission this year.

The Leadership and Strategic Vision of Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins

The operational and strategic direction of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is steered by its veteran leadership, focusing on a blend of community engagement, professional development, and infrastructure growth.

Biography and Profile of Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins

  • Current Role: Fire Chief of the Columbia-Richland Fire Department.
  • Career Start: Began his tenure with the department in 1979, working his way up through the ranks.
  • Historical Achievement: He is the first African American to be elected as the President of the South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs, a major professional milestone.
  • 2025 Community Honor: Chief Jenkins was named the 2025 ambassador for the annual Sickle Cell Walk, highlighting his commitment to public health and community causes beyond fire safety.
  • Core Mission: To save lives and protect property through community risk reduction and professional emergency response.

Chief Jenkins has been instrumental in guiding the department through recent expansions, including the completion of new facilities and the push for increased staffing to meet the demands of a rapidly expanding City of Columbia.

Infrastructure Expansion and Facility Modernization

To better serve the city's growing population and evolving urban landscape, the CRFD has prioritized significant capital projects, most notably the replacement of an aging station and the recent activation of a new one.

1. New Olympia Fire Station on Bluff Road (126 Bluff Road)

One of the most significant current projects is the construction of the new Olympia Fire Station, a much-needed upgrade to replace the older Olympia Park Station.

  • Location and Size: The new, modern facility is being constructed at 126 Bluff Road, Columbia, SC 29201, and will span approximately 14,132 square feet.
  • Project Status: The project was a key item in the City of Columbia’s monthly "Lets Talk Local" discussions and was highlighted in the December 2, 2025, City Council Highlights.
  • Enhanced Capabilities: The state-of-the-art station is designed to provide direct access to Bluff Road, improving response times in the area, which is experiencing growth with new student rentals and construction.
  • Community Focus: The design includes a dedicated community room and space to accommodate additional firefighters, integrating the station as a true neighborhood asset.

2. Fire Station #11 and Staffing Needs

The CRFD continues to bolster its physical footprint and personnel. Fire Station #11 was completed and placed into service in the Fall of 2023, reflecting ongoing efforts to improve coverage.

In line with this growth, the department has requested funding for 12 new firefighters in the upcoming budget cycle, a crucial step to maintain optimal staffing levels and operational readiness across all stations.

Critical Safety Campaigns and Specialized Training in 2025

The department’s focus on community risk reduction is highlighted by its participation in national campaigns and highly specialized training exercises, preparing personnel for any major event.

3. "Charge into Fire Safety™": The 2025 Fire Prevention Theme

The annual National Fire Prevention Month (October 2025) saw the Columbia-Richland Fire Department emphasize a critical, modern safety issue: the safe use and storage of lithium-ion batteries.

  • Official Theme: The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) theme for Fire Prevention Week (October 5-11, 2025) was “Charge into Fire Safety™: Lithium-Ion Batteries in Your Home.”
  • Community Outreach: The CRFD reiterated this crucial theme, educating residents on the fire dangers associated with these batteries, which power everything from e-bikes to laptops.
  • Annual Event: The month kicked off with the annual Fire Prevention Parade near Two Notch Road, a popular event for area schools and students.

4. SC Task Force 5 Disaster Drill and Recruit Class 2025-01

The CRFD maintains a high level of technical readiness through rigorous training programs.

  • Disaster Preparedness: On May 20, 2025, more than 30 CRFD firefighters participated in a large-scale disaster drill at the South Carolina Fire Academy. This training is part of the annual exercise for SC Task Force 5, ensuring the department is prepared for complex, large-scale emergency scenarios.
  • New Recruits: The summer season began with the graduation of Firefighter Recruit Class 2025-01, injecting new, professionally trained personnel into the ranks of the Columbia and Richland County fire service.

5. Firefighter Health and Legal Challenges

The CRFD’s commitment to its personnel includes a focus on occupational health and mental well-being, while the department also navigates complex legal matters.

Focus on Occupational Health

The department actively promotes several key internal initiatives to protect the health of its firefighters, recognizing the long-term occupational risks of the profession.

  • Cancer Prevention: Continuing efforts are focused on firefighter cancer prevention initiatives, implementing best practices to reduce exposure to carcinogens on the job.
  • Mental Health: Significant resources are dedicated to mental health awareness and support, acknowledging the psychological toll of emergency response work.

Legal Controversy Update

The City of Columbia and the CRFD have been involved in a high-profile legal matter in 2025. The City has denied allegations made in a wrongful death lawsuit related to a Line of Duty Death (LODD) case. The City of Columbia has accused the Irmo Fire District of defamation in connection with the lawsuit, a complex and sensitive legal challenge that the City is actively addressing.

Relevant Entities and Topical Keywords (LSI)

The following entities and LSI keywords are central to the current operations and news surrounding the Columbia-Richland Fire Department in 2025, providing a deeper understanding of the department's scope:

  • Columbia-Richland Fire Department (CRFD)
  • Fire Chief Aubrey D. Jenkins
  • City of Columbia, South Carolina
  • Richland County Emergency Services
  • Olympia Fire Station
  • Bluff Road Construction
  • Fire Station #11
  • Firefighter Recruit Class 2025-01
  • SC Task Force 5
  • South Carolina Fire Academy
  • National Fire Prevention Month 2025
  • Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
  • Charge into Fire Safety™
  • Community Risk Reduction
  • Firefighter Cancer Prevention Initiatives
  • Firefighter Mental Health Awareness
  • Irmo Fire District
  • LODD (Line of Duty Death) Case
  • Wrongful Death Lawsuit
  • Fiscal Year 2025/2026 Budget
  • Emergency Response Protocol
  • Two Notch Road (Fire Prevention Parade)
  • South Carolina State Association of Fire Chiefs
  • Sickle Cell Walk Ambassador
  • City Council Highlights
  • Unified Command
5 Critical Updates: What the Columbia-Richland Fire Department is Doing Right Now in 2025
city of columbia sc fire department
city of columbia sc fire department

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