Columbia Fire Department chief leaving for new position
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Columbia Fire Department chief plans to leave for a new position in Arkansas.
According to Southern Arkansas University Tech, Andy Woody will take over as the next director of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy (AFTA). A date wasn't immediately available for when Woody will start in his new role.
The school said Woody was hired to replace AFTA Director Rachel Nix. Nix plans to retire in March.
Columbia hired Woody as its fire chief in December 2019. Woody served as chief of the Searcy, Arkansas Fire Department before coming to Columbia.
According to Southern Arkansas University Tech, Woody brings 25 years of fire experience to the college.
A spokeswoman for Columbia said Woody's last day with the fire department is Feb. 25. The city manager is expected to name an interim fire chief.
ABC 17 News is told discussions have begun to find a permanent fire chief replacement, but a date for when the search could start hasn't been decided.
