A record-breaking investment of more than $21 million in fire apparatus replacements and repairs is included in the 2026 proposed Columbus capital budget, a move city leaders say is meant to help the Columbus Division of Fire catch up after concerns about the condition of its fleet drew public backlash this year.
Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther called the funding “a way for us to invest and catch up, and prepare for the future.”
The state of the department’s vehicles gained wider attention after Kayleigh Smith, whose father retired from the Columbus Division of Fire, started the CFD Ductape Facebook page to highlight the fleet’s condition. Smith said she did not expect the page to grow as quickly as it did.
“It was amazing. I kind of just thought that I would post like six posts and, you know, that would be it. And then it just blew up,” Smith said.
Public safety meetings and conversations have started, but Smith said she has not seen improvements.
“Nothing’s been fixed. I don’t see a big morale boost. I don’t see any major changes,” she said.
Smith’s concern now is whether the $21 million in 2026 is enough long term. She pointed to the city’s capital improvement plan, which shows funding for fire apparatus dropping back to $6 million a year from 2027 to 2031. Smith described the $21 million as a “bandaid” and said she would ask the mayor why the city is not committing to $18 million a year.
Interim Fire Chief David Baugh said the department has been told to expect that level of annual support going forward.
“We’ve communicated the $18 million moving in the future is what the commitment is,” Baugh said.
Ginther, however, alluded that the $18 million figure is more of a goal and said future funding will require continued collaboration and difficult decisions.
“Well, this year, 21 million. And we’re going to continue to work closely with Chief Baugh, President Stein and our firefighters to make sure we’re making critical investments in fire apparatus. And so, my hope is potentially we do even more than that,” Ginther said.
When sked how the city will make $18 million a year happen with it currently not reflected in the Columbus Capital-Improvements Program, Ginther said, “My hope is potentially we do even more than that. But we’re going to have to continue to work together. It’s about making tough choices.”
Columbus Firefighters Union President Steve Stein said he believes the funding will come and said the discussions have underscored the need for improvements as well as started to bring them to the department.
“It’s proved positive that advocacy works. You know, this firefighters union has been, unapologetically talking about investments that are needed, past, present and future. And this is a huge step in the right direction,” Stein said.
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