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<p style="font-weight:bold; display: inline; line-height:150%; font-size: 115%;"> 201 Orr Street
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Columbia, MO 65201</p></div>
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<p style="font-size: 150%; font-weight: bold;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</p>
<p style="font-size: 120%; margin-top: -5px; font-weight:bold;">May 13, 2025</p>
<p style="float:right; font-weight:bold; margin-bottom: 25px; font-size: 100%; text-align:right;">CONTACT: Brian Schaeffer
<br />Fire Chief
<br />Columbia Fire Department
<br />City of Columbia
<br />573.489.3400
<br />Brian.Schaeffer@CoMo.gov</p>
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<div style="font-size: 110%; line-height:150%;"><h1 style="clear:both; margin-top: 75px; margin-bottom: 10px; font-weight: bold; font-size: 130%;">Columbia hosts national-level emergency response training course</h1>
<div class="content"><span style="padding-left: 50px;">(COLUMBIA, MO)</span> - <p style="display: inline;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Public safety leaders from around Missouri are attending the highly sought-after "Responding Effectively to Complex Incidents" course from May 13-14. This course provides participants with a rare opportunity to enhance their skills in managing dynamic and high-stakes incidents.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The course is designed for incident commanders and leaders from law enforcement, fire service, EMS, 911 dispatch, emergency management, public health and public works. It equips them with tools to manage large-scale or fast-evolving incidents that require coordinated, multi-agency responses. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As the city continues to grow, the Columbia Fire Department is committed to improving strategies and tactics when responding to incidents when seconds count.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">"This training represents a major opportunity for our region's first responders to build critical skills in incident management," said Chief Brian Schaeffer, Columbia Fire Department. "Complex incidents demand collaboration, rapid decision-making, and unified strategies - exactly the skills this course develops."</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Course topics include:</span></p>
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<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Rapid recognition and assessment of complex incidents</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Establishing "unified command" and coordinating with diverse agencies</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Deconflicting priorities and aligning strategic objectives</span></li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Transferring and structuring command roles effectively</span></li>
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<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The course will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days at the Columbia Police Department Training Center, 5001 East Meyer Industrial Drive. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The course is funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and delivered by the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX). Participants can attend at no cost. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">For more information, contact Brian Schaeffer at 573-489-3400 or George Glenn, TEEX Training Manager, at </span><a style="white-space:nowrap" href="mailto:george.Glenn@teex.tamu.edu"><span style="font-weight: 400;">george.Glenn@teex.tamu.edu</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">. </span></p></div>
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<em>Columbia is the best place for everyone to live, work, learn and play.</em></p>
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