COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) welcomed eight new firefighters to the department on Tuesday morning.
Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon swore in firefighters during the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting at Columbus City Hall.
Capt. Mike Wilson says that this brings CFD to full staff.
All firefighters will undergo a department orientation and training program. If not previously certified, the new hires will obtain a Basic Emergency Medical Technician certification, Firefighter I and II certification, and Hazardous Materials Operations/Awareness certification.
After all training, each firefighter will receive a station and shift assignment.
The new firefighters are:
- Jacob Corya, 25, is a 2019 Jennings County High School graduate, a U.S. Navy Veteran, and has served at the Vernon Fire Department
- Jeffrey Gilliam, 29, graduated from Jennings County High School in 2014 and has served 10 years with the Indiana National Guard
- Caleb Meeks, 26, is a 2016 Edgewood High School graduate and earned an associate’s degree from Vincennes University in 2018
- Matthew Shorten, 41, graduated from East Central High School in 2001 and has nine years of service as a full-time firefighter in Greensburg
- Jesse Taulman, 29, is a 2014 Columbus North High School graduate and has experience with two fire agencies
- Andrew Vehslage, 22, graduated from Seymour High School in 2021 and is certified in firefighter hazardous materials awareness and operations
- Brayden Warfield, 28, is a 2014 Columbus North High School graduate and has six years of fire service experience at other departments
- Jason Yelland, 27, graduated from North Branch High School in Michigan in 2015 and has an associate’s degree from Maranatha Baptist University
