History Of The Columbia Consolidated Fire Department
The members of
the Shawnee Fire Co.(8-3), Vigilant Fire Co. (8-2) and the Keystone Fire
Co.(8-5) got together in the summer months of 1998 to discuss the
possibility of consolidating its services and resources to the residents of
Columbia Borough and its surrounding areas. A committee was formed and the
Columbia Borough Fire Chief was advised of these discussions and the
potential plan of Consolidation. The committee was formed of many different
officers of all 3 departments, both Administrative and Fire Line. With the
enforcement of Borough Council pushing the Consolidation to be completed as
quickly as possible, the committee members were able to present to the three
fire companies, the complete package of what was to be the newly formed
Columbia Consolidated Fire Department, Inc. This consolidation was the first
of its type with three Fire Departments consolidating, compared to several,
two fire department mergers.
At the January meeting of 2000, President Steve Henry Jr. of Shawnee Fire
Co., President Geoff Broome of the Keystone Fire Co. and President Barry
Manuel of the Vigilant Fire Co. brought the, what was to be known as the
final and last meeting of the three individual companies to order and with
the membership present, voted unanimously to close all of the chartered
companies and create the new Columbia Consolidated Fire Department, Inc.
Immediately following the vote, the membership was faced with voting in a
new Administration and Fire Line Officials. Leading the newly formed
Consolidation was elected Fire Chief Erich Broome and President Geoff
Broome. Within six months, President Geoff Broome resigned his post and
Steve Henry Jr. was elected in by the membership present at that meeting.
The Administration and Fire Officials took CCFD, Inc. to many new levels and
extremes of Customer Service and also public services, including the
creation of QRS 8. To this day the CCFD, Inc. continues to strive in making
a difference in the public from image to its services as well as surrounding
communities. The current administration led by President John Wakefield Jr.,
Chairman of Trustees James Ciccocioppi, Treasurer Paul Delmotte , Secretary
Jenn Wakefield. The Fire Line Officials, Chief - Steve Henry Sr., Deputy
Chief- Jeremy Hertzog ., Asst. Chief Norm Torbert, 2nd Asst Chief Brian
Mentzer, Captain Franz Fifolt,
Lieutenant Todd Lightcap and Brush Captain John Lightcap.
