Columbia Fire Department 6

Budget approved by Columbia’s City Council focuses on pandemic and public safety

September 21, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s City Council has unanimously voted to approve a $474 million operating budget, a budget that projects that the COVID pandemic will continue. The budget approved by the council Monday night gives Public Health and Human Services authority for 17 temporary positions in their proposed budget, along with three new positions aimed at strengthening the …

Columbia’s City Council to vote on budget and fire grant on Monday night

September 20, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

Columbia’s City Council will likely to give final approval to the proposed $475-million fiscal year 2022 budget at Monday night’s meeting. The council is also expected to vote to accept a $178,000 federal grant to purchase critical communication equipment for the Columbia Fire Department. A council memo says Columbia firefighters will use the funding to …

Former Columbia fire chief passes away; Markgraf also served as chief in University City

September 13, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

A Columbia man who served 23 years as Columbia’s fire chief has passed away, at the age of 84. The Columbia Fire Department says retired Fire Chief William “Bill” Markgraf died unexpectedly at home on Friday. He served as the city’s fire chief from 1988 to 2011. City Manager John Glascock praises Chief Markgraf, saying …