Columbia Fire & Rescue is proud to announce the addition of a new 2025 Fire Master Tanker to its fleet—a proactive investment aimed at strengthening the department’s capacity to respond to structure fires throughout the city.
The new vehicle, built on an International chassis, includes a 2,000-gallon water tank and a 1,250 GPM Hale QFlo pump. In addition to transporting water, the tanker is equipped with fire hoses and other firefighting tools, allowing it to serve as a secondary pumper when needed. The $468,100 purchase marks the first tanker of its kind for the department and reflects ongoing efforts to enhance fire suppression capabilities in a variety of emergency situations.
“Preparedness is a responsibility we take seriously,” said Fire Chief Chris Cummins. “While we hope we never face a situation where water supply becomes an issue during a fire response, this tanker ensures we’re ready if that moment comes. It’s about supplementing what we already have and giving our crews every possible advantage when lives and property are at risk.”
The purchase comes amid continued collaboration between the City of Columbia and Maury County Fire Department through an Automatic Aid Agreement, which ensures mutual assistance and resource-sharing during emergency responses. Under the agreement, Maury County Fire will continue to dispatch their tankers to assist with water supply for structure fires within city limits, further strengthening the region’s collective emergency response network.
“Our fire department is well-prepared and well-equipped to respond to emergencies,” said Mayor Chaz Molder. “This tanker is not about filling a gap—it’s about building on our strengths. It adds another layer of support to ensure our firefighters have every advantage when protecting the safety of our community.”
City Manager Tony Massey emphasized that the decision to add the tanker was made with long-term community needs in mind. “Every major equipment purchase involves careful consideration,” said Massey. “This tanker will serve Columbia for many years to come, and we believe it will prove to be a valuable asset in protecting both our residents and our firefighters.”
The tanker is expected to be placed into service May 12, 2025 following equipment installation and personnel training.
Subscribe to our FREE Newsletter!
