Why Your Closest Fire Truck Might Not Always Be Available...

Issue #532

August 21, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌥️ Columbia’s Weather - Mostly cloudy to partly cloudy w/ High of 86, low of 66

🚒 Why Your Closest Fire Truck Might Not Always Be Available…

🚧 NOTICE: Public Square Street Resurfacing Project From 8/24-28

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Why Your Closest Fire Truck Might Not Always Be Available…

The Maury County Fire Department shared an eye-opening update yesterday about the realities of volunteer fire service in our community. Their post highlights both the challenges and the dedication involved in keeping our county safe, as call volumes grow and staffing struggles continue. Here’s their full message:

REALITIES OF VOLUNTEER FIRE SERVICE  

On Monday at 1:44PM units were dispatched to the Hampshire First Baptist Church for a tractor on fire. The following units responded: Engines 21 & 22, Tanker 21, Squad 21, Deputy 20.

The first engine arrived 20 minutes after dispatch which responded from Station 22 located in the Cherry Glenn Business Park with units from headquarters (Tom J Hitch) arriving closely behind. By this time the fire had spread from the tractor to the baler, completely consuming both. Bystanders had stretched garden hoses from the church to keep the fire from spreading farther. Understandably, there were some very frustrated farmers on scene that wanted answers as to why the closest fire engine did not respond. The closest engine, Engine 25, which is located less than a mile away failed to respond. The volunteers with Station 25 were at work or other obligations and were not available to respond the apparatus. 

Our community is not immune to the national trend in the decline of volunteerism and available hours to dedicate to emergency response. Employment dynamics have changed and people travel farther away from their homes to work. Call volumes have increased greatly in the last five years as well, and we must grow with the community to meet the expectations of our citizens. Our department will respond to over 2000 calls this year. 

Our county commission and mayors office have been very supportive of our organization and we would be remiss to not mention the strides we have made under their current tenure, but we are still struggling to meet the every day demands for emergency response. We look forward to continuing to advocate for appropriate staffing across the county to meet the increased demands for service. 

OUR STAFFING: We have 6 full time personnel (Since October 2024) with two working per shift at our headquarters located at 1257 Mapleash Avenue. 175 volunteers (Approx 60 volunteers deemed very active) and 13 fire stations across Maury County.

OUR SERVICE AREA: We cover 560 square miles of Maury County’s total 612. The cities of Columbia, Mount Pleasant, and Spring Hill cover the other 52 square miles. Communities we cover: Culleoka, Mynders, Enterprise, Sandy Hook, parts of Summertown in Maury County, Hampshire, Zion, Williamsport, Santa Fe, Bethel, Theta, Carters Creek, Oak Lake, Pottsville, and Fountain Heights. We cover I-65 from the Marshall County line to the Spring Hill City limits (with the exception of the Mile Marker 46 covered by the City of Columbia) as well as over 60 miles of the Duck River. Our department responds to all types of fires including structures, vehicle, wildland, etc, as well as  motor vehicle accidents, high angle rescues, water rescues, and high priority medical calls to supplement Maury Regional EMS. 

Citizens are allowed to speak at county meetings and we report to the safety committee monthly on the first Tuesday of the first full week of each month at 4:30PM. 

We are proud to serve Maury County and appreciate your support. 

Interested in becoming a volunteer firefighter? Find more information here.

NOTICE: Public Square Street Resurfacing Project From 8/24-28

Public Notice: Public Square Street Resurfacing Project

The City of Columbia will be conducting street resurfacing work on Public Square, as well as portions of South Main Street, North Main Street, East 7th Street, and West 7th Street. To minimize disruptions to businesses and daytime traffic, all work will take place only during overnight hours.

Project Dates: Sunday, August 24 – Thursday, August 28, 2025

Work Hours: Nightly from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM

Important Details for Residents, Businesses, and Visitors:

Road Closures: Public Square and affected street sections will be closed to through traffic only at night from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM during work hours.

Sidewalk Closures: Sidewalks within the work zones will be closed for safety reasons.

Property Access: Residents and property owners needing access during work hours will be assisted by the contractor on site.

Parking Restrictions: No parking will be allowed in the work area between 9:00 PM and 5:00 AM. Temporary "No Parking" signs will be posted similar to special event protocols.

Noise and Dust: Milling and paving will cause elevated noise and dust. Efforts will be made to minimize impact, but some disturbance is unavoidable. Residents should plan accordingly.

Street Furnishings: Property owners are asked to remove personal items or furnishings from sidewalks in the affected area before work begins.

Please note: Work is weather-dependent and may conclude earlier or later than scheduled. 

The City of Columbia thanks everyone for their patience and cooperation as these improvements enhance the safety and quality of downtown streets.

All of shops and restaurants will still be open to serve and welcome you during normal business hours!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Thursday, August 21st

Friday, August 22nd

Saturday, August 23rd

Sunday, August 24th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

Aug 14 - 23: Tennessee State Fair (Lebanon)
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 
Sept 27 - 28: Pilgrimage Music & Heritage Festival

👇 Click the Links to Learn About our Local Business Sponsors! 👇

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Thursday, August 21st

Robb Harris, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Larkin & Leigh, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM

Friday, August 22nd

TBA, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Brian & Melanie Jones, Buck & Board, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Nick Bentley, Grinder’s Switch Winery, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Kirwin and the Band!, McCreary’s Irish Pub, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
The Heels, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Natasia Greycloud, Whiskey Alley Saloon, 7:30 - 9:00 PM
Smokin’ Peas, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM
Song Writers Round, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM

Saturday, August 23rd

Sean Carson, Keg Springs, 2:00 - 5:00 PM
Martin Lane, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 - 7:00 PM
Rett Stocstill, Buck & Board, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Music on the Porch, 600 N Main St, Mt Pleasant TN, 6:00 - 9:00 PM
Summer Series, The Bourbon Gospel, 7:30 PM
The Mighty Trainwrecks, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
McCartney Forever, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM
Laura Drake, The Boondox, 8:00 PM 
Broke by Monday, Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 8:00 - 11:00 PM

Sunday, August 24th

Bronwen Fair, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 4:00 PM
Shannon (Jill FM), Fozzy’s Bar & Grill, 4:00 - 7:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Want to get your business in What’s Up Columbia? Let’s talk