Columbus KS Fire Rescue

06/01/2026

Earlier today, the Columbus Fire Department was dispatched to assist the Lola Fire Department with a fully engulfed camper fire.

Upon arrival, crews found the camper fully involved with fire and immediately went to work alongside responding agencies to bring the incident under control.

05/28/2026

On behalf of the Columbus Fire Department, we would like to extend our sincere congratulations and deepest gratitude to EMS Director Doug Mogle on his retirement.

Doug's dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to emergency medical services have left a lasting impact on our communities and the countless lives he has touched throughout his career. His passion for serving others, mentoring future generations, and continually striving to improve EMS has strengthened not only his organization but every agency fortunate enough to work alongside him.

Over the years, Columbus Fire Department has been proud to partner with Doug in serving our citizens. Through challenges, emergencies, and everyday calls for service, his professionalism, knowledge, and steady leadership have made us all better. The relationships he built and the standards he set will continue to influence EMS and public safety in our area for years to come.

While retirement marks the end of an incredible career, the legacy Doug leaves behind will not be forgotten. We are stronger because of his dedication, friendship, and commitment to excellence.

Congratulations on your well-earned retirement, Doug. Thank you for your many years of service, your leadership, and your lasting impact on our profession and our community. We wish you and your family many years of happiness, health, and adventure in this next chapter.

With respect and appreciation,

Your Friends at the Columbus Fire Department

Please join us in wishing our former service Director, Doug Mogle a Happy Retirement.

Doug began his career EMS and with the Cherokee County Ambulance Service many years ago in the 1980s when he became a volunteer EMT. He would then obtain the more advanced certification of EMT-I or EMT Intermediate and eventually take over the reigns of the service in 1989.

During his tenure as director, he has been a staunch advocate of EMS as a whole, but especially in the state of Kansas and southeast Kansas in particular, by addressing various issues that EMS providers face every day with leaders in local government but also at the state level.

Doug is also very active in the community having served as the treasurer for the City of Columbus for many years as well as his membership in various civic and church organizations and serving, along with his lovely wife Becky, as a host family for many foreign exchange students that have come to our area over the last few years.

Although he officially retired back in 2024, he has continued to serve in a more limited capacity as he has been assisting in the transition from one administration to the next. But that all comes to an end very soon as he will completely and officially be retired.

We wish to thank Doug for his countless years of service, not only to the citizens of Cherokee County, but to the EMS community in general.
We would also like to thank him for his leadership, mentorship, and most importantly his friendship throughout his time here with us.

With that, we wish to officially recognize the “full and complete,” retirement of Cherokee County Ambulance Association Service Director Doug Mogle. 🙂

You, Becky, Jacob, and Matt are and forever will be a part of our family and we wish you nothing but the best.

Signed,

The staff and crew of Cherokee County Ambulance Association.

05/28/2026

Freedom Fest Update 🇺🇸

We wanted to give everyone an update regarding this year’s Freedom Fest event.

As of right now, the event is not fully funded. We are approximately halfway to our fireworks funding goal, and currently we have zero sponsors for the prizes used during the games and activities throughout the event.

Unfortunately, we have also had some food trucks and the helicopter tours back out due to larger events in other areas being moved to the same Saturday as our event. While disappointing, that is simply part of competing with other regional events and is outside of our control.

At this time, if we can raise the remaining fireworks funding and secure sponsors for the game prizes, we will still move forward and host the best event we possibly can for our community. However, if we are unable to secure the remaining support, we will unfortunately have to cancel this year’s event.

If you or your business would be interested in sponsoring Freedom Fest in any way, please reach out to us as soon as possible. Every donation and sponsorship truly helps make this event possible for our community and families.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us so far!

05/19/2026

A line of thunderstorms will continue to move through the area this morning. A few strong to severe thunderstorms may occur within the line. The primary hazard is wind gusts and heavy rain. Localized heavy rainfall and flash flooding may occur where repeated thunderstorms track over the same areas.

A loud morning ahead. But overall threat remains low for us.

05/19/2026

Update from the fire line, our crew has now been reassigned to the Herman Ranch area in Clark County where they are assisting with structure exposure protection.

At this time, our crew is expected to complete their deployment tomorrow and begin the trip back home to Columbus. Please continue to keep all responding personnel and the communities impacted by these fires in your thoughts and prayers.

05/18/2026

With the growing popularity of e-bikes, scooters, rechargeable tools, and other lithium battery-powered devices in our community, we want to remind everyone about the very real fire dangers these batteries can pose if not used properly.

Lithium-ion battery fires are becoming one of the fastest-growing fire risks across the country. Fire departments nationwide are seeing major increases in fires involving e-bikes, scooters, power tools, and other rechargeable devices. In New York City alone, officials documented over 200 e-bike battery fires in a single year, many resulting in serious injuries, deaths, and devastating house fires.

These fires burn extremely hot, spread rapidly, and can even explode or reignite after appearing to be extinguished.

Please help keep your family and home safe by following these important safety tips:

• Only use manufacturer-approved chargers and batteries
• Never charge batteries overnight or while away from home
• Avoid charging near doors, exits, couches, beds, or combustible materials
• Do not use damaged, swollen, overheated, or modified batteries
• Avoid cheap aftermarket batteries or chargers purchased from unknown sellers
• Charge devices on hard surfaces — not beds, couches, or carpet
• Keep smoke detectors working and tested in your home
• If a battery starts smoking, swelling, hissing, or overheating — move away immediately and call 911

Many lithium battery fires happen during charging sessions or from batteries that have been dropped, damaged, or modified.

We understand these devices are convenient and fun, and we are not against them. We simply care about your safety and want to help protect your family, pets, and home from preventable fires.

Please share this message to help spread awareness throughout our community. Stay safe! 🚒

05/18/2026

Our crew should be making their way back tomorrow.

05/17/2026

Columbus Fire Department has deployed a Brush Unit and two firefighters to assist with the massive wildfire incident in western Kansas near Mead County.

Our crew has now been assigned to a Wyandotte County Task Force alongside departments from,
Coffeyville• Edwardsville• Kansas City, KS• Bonner Springs.

Please keep all firefighters, emergency personnel, and the communities impacted by these fires in your thoughts and prayers as they work long hours in extremely challenging conditions to protect lives, homes, livestock, and property across Kansas.

We are proud of our firefighters for stepping up to answer the call when help is needed.
We pray for a safe return for all.

05/16/2026

🇺🇸 Freedom Fest 2026 is sneaking up fast! 🇺🇸

We already have vendors booked based on availability and we’re excited to bring another great event to our community!

📍 Columbus City Park
📅 June 27th, 2026
⏰ Starting at 5:00 PM

We know the date may not be ideal for everyone, but we have to work around the availability of vendors, entertainment, and shooters that fit within our budget. We truly appreciate everyone’s understanding and support as we continue hosting this event each year!

At this time, Freedom Fest 2026 is still seeking funding and sponsors to help make this event a success. If you or your business would like to partner with us, please reach out!

Let’s come together and make Freedom Fest 2026 another unforgettable night for our community! 💥

05/12/2026

We are thankful for Columbus Schools USD 493 for providing a shelter to our community.

Please read the policy and note the upcoming changes.

Please see the Columbus USD 493 Storm Shelter Policy.