Columbia Fire Department answers statewide mutual-aid request to support Rolla Fire Department

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Fire Department answered a statewide request for assistance on Friday to aid the Rolla Fire Department as part of the state's mobilization initiative.

Columbia Engine 2 and Assistant Chief Lester Shewmake were sent to assist with tornado damages at 9:30 p.m. Friday, according to a press release. CFD Firefighters worked alongside others from around the region, searching large, decimated neighborhoods by foot.

"Firefighters went house to house, neighborhood by neighborhood, searching in rubble and throughout downed trees and debris to locate missing or injured community members," the press release says.

Rolla's command team released CFD resources at 1:00 a.m. after initial searches, the press release says. The firefighters returned safely to Columbia at 3:00 a.m. Saturday.