Columbia, Boone Co. fire agree to share services

The City of Columbia will pay $350,000 for a service agreement between the Columbia Fire Department and the Boone County Fire Protection District.

The deal allows either department to assist the other in cases of emergency where one agency might reach the situation faster than the other. Columbia Fire Chief Randy White displayed the new agreement at the Columbia City Council meeting Monday night, showing where city firefighters will go into the county, and county volunteer firefighters will enter the city.

Chief White said the agreement applies to time-sensitive emergency calls, such as structure fires or heart attacks, known as ‘Delta” and “Echo” level calls. Both departments reviewed areas that would be cost-effective for both to maintain the relationship, White said.

The two last agreed to a similar deal in 2009.

After six months, both departments will review the cost of the territory agreement, and decide how to shift any potential burdens off one department. The agreement also ensures joint training between the departments. The deal will last until the end of 2020.