Columbus, MS Fire and Rescue Department

06/21/2026

06/19/2026

🚨 Meet your IFR Staff - Employee Spotlight ⭐️

This week, we’re proud to spotlight Melvin Junkin. Melvin serves full time as a Captain for Columbus, MS Fire and Rescue Department and has a total of 21 years of service in the Fire Department‼️

🏆 Accomplishments:

* Structural Collapse, Swift Water, Trench Rescue
* EMT
* Fire Officer I + II

What inspired you to become a Firefighter?

- “I always enjoyed helping people and this seemed like a great career to get into.”

What do you enjoy most about Industrial Fire & Rescue?

- “Spending time with great co workers”

Vision for the Future?

- “I am excited to become a future instructor for the upcoming Regional Training Center.”

Coffee or Energy Drink?
-Sweet Tea

Favorite Station Meal
- Definitely ice cream (chocolate)

Favorite Piece of Equipment
- “JAWS OF LIFE because they save lives”

06/18/2026

🌧️ HEAVY RAIN IN THE FORECAST?
SLOW DOWN AND STAY SAFE. 🌧️

Familiar roads can become dangerous when visibility drops and water begins to accumulate. Most weather-related crashes happen on wet pavement, not snow or ice. Arriving a few minutes late is far better than not arriving at all.

✅ Turn your headlights on (not just daytime running lights)
✅ Reduce your speed and increase your following distance
✅ Avoid using cruise control on wet roads
✅ Watch for standing water and never drive through flooded roadways
✅ Use extra caution on bridges and overpasses
✅ If visibility becomes too poor, safely pull over and wait for conditions to improve

Stay alert, stay patient, and stay safe!

🚒 Columbus, MS Fire and Rescue Department Serving and protecting our community, rain or shine.

06/11/2026

06/09/2026

🏠 Protect What Matters Most 🏠

A working smoke alarm can cut the risk of dying in a home fire in half. The early warning it provides can make all the difference when seconds count.

Here are a few simple smoke alarm safety tips from Columbus Fire & Rescue:

✅ Test your smoke alarms monthly.
✅ Replace batteries at least once a year, or when the alarm chirps.
✅ Install smoke alarms inside every bedroom, outside sleeping areas, and on every level of your home.
✅ Replace smoke alarms every 10 years.
✅ Create and practice a home fire escape plan with your family.

Take a few minutes today to check your smoke alarms. It’s one of the easiest and most important things you can do to help protect your family.

🚨 Working Smoke Alarms Save Lives. Have You Checked Yours? 🚨

06/05/2026

We had a blast! Pictures and videos are coming soon!!

Columbus Fire and Rescue spent the week at the local Boys and Girls Club.

06/01/2026

Today, we honor two dedicated firefighters as they begin a well-earned retirement after a combined 50 years of service to their communities.

Engineer Randall Beaty dedicated all 25 years of his career to Columbus Fire & Rescue, faithfully serving the citizens of Columbus with professionalism commitment, and a smile.

Captain Ryan Thompson served 12 years with the Starkville Fire Department before continuing his career with Columbus Fire & Rescue, where he completed a total of 25 years in the fire service.

We are grateful for their sacrifice, dedication, and the countless lives they have impacted throughout their careers. Thank you both for your service, friendship, and commitment to the fire service.

Congratulations on your retirement. We wish you many years of happiness, good health, and time spent doing the things you enjoy most.

Thank you for your service, and we wish you both all the best in this well-deserved next chapter.
10-7...Out of Service 🚒🔥

Badge #279, Badge #328

05/28/2026

🚒💦 COMMUNITY SUPPORT IN ACTION 💦🚒

A big THANK YOU goes out to Mr. Dan Price and the team at Food Giant, along with Mr. Benton and Military Hardware, for stepping up and helping keep our firefighters hydrated this summer with generous bottled water donations.

When temperatures start climbing in Mississippi, it get hot! Our firefighters are out training, responding to medical calls, working fires, and spending long hours on emergency scenes. Something as simple as cold bottled water goes a long way for the men and women serving this community.

We truly appreciate businesses and citizens who continue to support Columbus, MS Fire and Rescue Department and stand behind their first responders. Support like this does not go unnoticed.

If anyone else would like to help support our firefighters this summer by donating bottled water or sports drinks, donations can be dropped off at:

📍 Columbus Fire & Rescue – Station 1
201 7th St South
Columbus, MS

Thank you again to Food Giant and Military Hardware for your generosity and continued community support! 👏🚒