Video: Columbus Fire Dept Seeks National Accreditation

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – The Columbus Fire Department is striving for success, and gathering feedback from the community they serve is the first step. The department is seeking national accreditation. They have held a series of meetings with community members to get their feedback.

“Part of what we do in strategic planning is to get feedback from external sources, our customers,” says Chuck Sampson, the Accreditation Consultant working with the department.

Columbus Fire & Rescue Chief Kenneth Moore says his department is working to set themselves apart from other departments in the state.

“Columbus Fire and Rescue is working towards its national accreditation. We’re working towards being the very first in the state of Mississippi to become  a nationally fire fighter accredited department. As part of the process, we have to do a strategic plan which is working on our goals and objectives for the next 3 to 5 years,” says Moore.

Sampson says the distinction will not only directly benefit the community, but it will put Columbus Fire and Rescue in an elite group.

“It’s simply a way of gaining additional credibility, of availing you to resources at a national level that you might otherwise not be able to acquire. Particularly, expertise and affiliation that comes from being able to work with people who’ve done what you do at the level that you do it,” says Sampson.

The department hopes to include some upgrades as a part of their strategic plan.

During this process, the department’s finances, training and competency will also be evaluated.