About Us

Our Mission:

The mission of the Columbia Borough Fire Department shall be to protect the lives and property of the citizens and visitors of the Borough of Columbia and neighboring communities from fire and other related emergencies or natural disasters. This public safety goal shall be achieved by providing professionally trained personnel educated in the areas of fire prevention, suppression, and tactical operations from the adverse effects of fire and rescue situations, or exposure to other hazardous conditions.

Quick Facts:

Busiest Rescue company in Lancaster County in 2002 – 2005, 2008, 2009, and 2014.

Among the first in the county to have a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS.)

First River Rescue unit in this immediate region.

American Red Cross Disaster Shelter designee.

Featured in the IFSTA Rescue manual.

First Thermal Imaging Camera (TIC) in the county. Although a standard piece of equipment by today’s standards, we set the bar in Lancaster County for this important piece of equipment.

We became QRS certified in 2005

Championed the first Risk Watch Safer Community in the state of Pennsylvania in 2006.

In 2006, we also became certified in the PA DOH Voluntary Rescue Service Program at the Technician Level.

We became one department in 2015 after six and a half of years planning the merger.

 

Members of the following:

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Lancaster County Fireman’s Association (LCFA)

Lancaster County Chief’s Assoiciation (LCFCA)                                 

Columbia Borough Fireman’s Relief Association 

Columbia Borough Safety Committee

Columbia Borough Fire Safety Education Committee (Chair)

Columbia Borough Training Committee

Columbia Borough Pre-Plan Committee

 

Our department consists of over 60 highly skilled firefighters with training in:

NFPA 472 Hazardous Materials Operations

NFPA 1001 Firefighter I Certification

NFPA 1002 Fire Apparatus Driver/ Operator

NFPA 1006 Rescue Technician

NFPA 1021 Fire Officer Certification

NFPA 1031 Fire Service Inspector Certification

NFPA 1041 Fire Service Instructor Certification

NFPA 1521 Incident Safety Officer

Essentials of Firefighting

High Angle Rope Rescue

Vehicle Rescue Technician

Confined Space Rescue

Water Rescue and Emergency Response

Incident Command System

Trench Rescue

Rapid Intervention Team (RIT)

Engine Company Operations

Truck Company Operations

 

Department History:

In 2008, Columbia #1 Fire Company, Susquehanna Fire & Rescue Company, and Columbia Consolidated Fire Company began talks on merging the three companies into one department. Committees from all three departments met each month to plan out the future of the fire services in Columbia Borough. After several years of planning, it was decided that the Susquehanna Fire Company would be the headquarters of the new Columbia Borough Fire Department (CBFD.) The equipment and apparatus from the Columbia #1 Fire Company would be moved out to the Susquehanna station on Manor Street. The Front Street station would house the squads, boats, special unit, and the traffic unit until the building is sold. On August 4th, 2015, the CBFD officially began operating as one department out of the Manor Street station. Personnel were cross-trained on all of the apparatus and equipment.

The fire service is Columbia Borough has a very rich history. It has one of the oldest volunteer departments in the United States. CBFD will continue to provide all fire and rescue services in Columbia Borough and surrounding communities for many years to come.