New fire chief, First Ward councilwoman to be sworn in at Columbia City Council meeting

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The City of Columbia is set to swear in two new officials during Monday night's City Council meeting. 

Brian Schaeffer will be sworn in as the next fire chief for the city, after being hired in June. Schaeffer was one-of-four finalists for the position. A city spokeswoman previously told ABC 17 News that Schaeffer was selected thanks in part to his ability to show how he’s used technology to advance his previous departments forward. An example of this was his use of AI to help identify performance problems, pinpoint the best deployment decisions, and find the most efficient routes to emergencies. 

Schaeffer previously served as an assistant fire chief and fire chief for the Spokane Fire Department. Before joining the Spokane Fire Department he was the deputy fire chief at the Yakima Fire Department in Yakima, Washington, and deputy fire chief at Yakima Fire District 12. 

Schaeffer earned a master of leadership degree from Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, a master of public administration degree rom the University of Missouri-Kansas City and a bachelor of science degree in fire science from Sterling College in Kansas City, Missouri. He is also a graduate of Freeburg High School in Freeburg, Illinois.

Newly elected First Ward Councilwoman Valerie Carroll is also expected to be sworn in. Carroll was the lone candidate on the ballot during a special election held earlier this month. The Ward 1 seat was vacated in April after voters recalled former Councilman Nick Knoth. Fifty-seven percent of First Ward voters voted in favor of the recall. Knoth was recalled following residents’ concerns over his job as a lobbyist for the Missouri Association of REALTORS.

Check back for updates.