Columbus

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Local hair salon gives away free bookbags

Muffins With Mutts: Clhs Hosts Event To Show Off Adoptable Dogs

Muffins with Mutts: CLHS hosts event to show off adoptable dogs

Columbus Discusses Flooding Issues On Northside

Columbus discusses flooding issues on northside

columbus city hall

Columbus city leaders to recalculate firefighter, police pay scale

Columbus Place Developers Request Takeover Of City Street Section

Columbus Place developers request takeover of city street section

RV parks provide temporary housing for out-of-town workers

RV parks provide temporary housing for out-of-town workers

Fires And Flames

Fire causes major damage to house in Columbus

crime

Argument in Columbus turns into an Aggravated Assault case

Cpd Adds To Camera Collection

CPD adds to camera collection

WCBI's Kealy Shields joins Mother Goose for Summer Reading

WCBI's Kealy Shields joins Mother Goose for Summer Reading

Crash Leaves One Person Injured On Highway 45 In Columbus

Crash leaves one person injured on Highway 45 in Columbus

Gulf Coast Woman Wins Pontoon Boat In Mississippi Lottery

Gulf Coast woman wins pontoon boat in Mississippi lottery

COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) - Columbus Fire & Rescue is honoring a few dedicated firefighters for their services. The veterans are hanging up their boots after more than 30 years of service. That's right the Columbus Fire & Rescue is losing three veteran firefighters. And according to the chief, it may be challenging to find three more that can replace that experience. "The life of a firefighter can often be difficult because you are spending a third of your life away from all your family and friends. You are actually creating a new family within the fire department," said Fire Chief Duane Hughes. From taking out flames to rescuing those in need, three veteran firefighters for Columbus Fire & Rescue have a large commitment to the community of Columbus. Firefighter James Avery and Engineer Anthony Smith have both served 25 years at CFR. Engineer Billy Ray Clark served 33 years for the department. Hughes explained how the years add up when the call to save a life comes in. "After the years, you mature to that point to understand that it's more than just a job. It's more than just a lifestyle. Some people will refer to it as a calling, others will refer to it as a blessing. It is an honor and blessing to be able to serve the community to protect and stand up in the gap and stand on the side knowing that those skills and knowledge that you acquire are more than just for your self-service. They're for the self-service of others," said Hughes. The department is always looking to have around 65 firefighters. Hughes said replacing the three retiring firefighters and their experience may take some time. "These gentlemen had 25, 33 years of experience. You can't replace that overnight, even with succession planning. Before these gentlemen left we had individuals who would stand in and learn their jobs and learn their job responsibilities but they'll never be able to stand in that gap and replace that experience that they represented and be able to come in and have the liaisons and the contacts that these gentlemen had that developed over their 25 plus year career," said Hughes. Hughes said succession training can play a big role in ensuring trustworthy firefighters for the department. For 24/7 news and updates, follow us on Facebook and X

Columbus Fire & Rescue honors retiring firefighters

Columbus Police

Operation Firecracker: Columbus police patrol holiday weekend

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Local family clinic Allegro is expanding its services

Fires And Flames

House fire in Columbus causes major damage to interior of home

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Keep your pets cool during the heat this summer

Man wanted in connection with rape investigation now in custody

Man wanted in connection with rape investigation now in custody

columbus police department

Columbus PD steps up recruiting, steps up image

Cpd Confirms Once Missing Person Case Is Actually Runaway Case

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Columbus prepares to spend money on paving streets

Columbus prepares to spend money on paving streets

columbus city hall

Columbus city leaders approve 2021 audit

Leroy's Landing boat ramp plans to reopen Fourth of July weekend

Leroy's Landing boat ramp plans to reopen Fourth of July weekend

cpd Police Pic

CPD steps up safety patrols for Fourth of July