Columbia Fire continuing to see increase in response times

The Columbia Fire Department’s response times have been trending upward these last couple of years.

In 2016, the average response time was seven minutes and 35 seconds, which is up 14 seconds from 2015 and 17 since 2014. From 2009 to 2016 the response time has increased by 41 seconds.

The department says the reason behind that is due to the growth of the city. A growing need for increased public safety is faced with the obstacle of not having enough money. Back in 2013, ABC 17 News reported how the department expressed the need for a 10th fire station; that is still needed.

“More stations would affect response times,” Assistant Chief Brad Frazier said. “More people on a truck would not effect response times.”

Frazier pointed out that additional stations would be beneficial in certain areas like southwest, east and northwest Columbia. All areas that have seen growth along with concerning response times.

Back in February you might recall when we told you about the firefighters union asking the city for nearly 100 more firefighters but Frazier said those additions aren’t necessarily a reality because there isn’t enough money.

Columbia Fire currently operates with a minimum staffing of 37 firefighters daily and said it hasn’t seen any staffing challenges.

ABC 17 News has contacted the department to see when a proposal for an additional fire station could be brought up before the City Council .

Editor’s note: location for possible fire stations was changed.