Station 56 fire station closure dispute
Summary
During the elder abuse proclamation, a resident accused the Board of elder abuse for closing Fire Station 56 and mishandling the CDBG grant for the Columbia Fire Station at the Prayer House, a project meant to keep seniors safe. She noted roughly 20% of county residents are elders and asked the Board not to compromise their safety net.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 2
- Last 30 days
- 0
Discussed at 1 meeting in the last 60 days; most recently Sep 22, 2026.
Impact analysis
Reopening the station would cost roughly $2.1-2.6 million a year, which Campbell proposed pulling from the $3.47 million in contingencies.
Rural residents who lost the closest fire protection if the station reopens.
Over 200 elders near the Prayer House face longer emergency response times.
Mentions & discussions (2)
Board of Supervisors - Sep 22, 2026
Speakers during the budget hearing demanded the Board reopen Station 56 and restore six firefighter positions, arguing the $3.9 million in contingency funds should go to fire protection. Supervisors traded sharply different accounts of who was responsible for the closure.
Board of Supervisors - Jun 2, 2026
During the elder abuse proclamation, a resident accused the Board of elder abuse for closing Fire Station 56 and mishandling the CDBG grant for the Columbia Fire Station at the Prayer House, a project meant to keep seniors safe. She noted roughly 20% of county residents are elders and asked the Board not to compromise their safety net.
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