Monday marks the last day Clayton Farr Jr. will serve the Columbia community as fire chief. A resolution of appreciation is planned at Monday’s Columbia City Council meeting.
Farr previously told the Tribune that his departure as chief after 18 months is bittersweet. He has served the department in various capacities for 25 years, but his overall career has spanned 34.
“We have made tremendous progress and realized some long-sought innovations over the past 18 months,” he wrote in a message to the Tribune previously. “I have tremendous respect and pride in our organization and am confident in the dedication and professionalism of our firefighters and senior staff to continue delivering the high-quality services our residents expect and deserve.”
Achievements have included the opening of fire station 11 in the southwest portion of the city on Scott Boulevard near Route K, property acquisition for fire station 10 in eastern Columbia on El Chaparral Avenue and fire service accreditations during his tenure.
“(This new station) will allow fire, rescue, hazardous materials and medical emergency services to be delivered to many more of our citizen customers within our target goal of four minutes. Homeowners, apartment complexes, office and business owners should also expect an immediate improvement in their insurance ratings,” Farr said at the September opening of station 10.
Farr doesn’t have set plans for his retirement, he noted previously.
“I have not made immediate plans to continue work in the public safety realm or any other. I have worked in various aspects of public safety all of my adult life,” he wrote to the Tribune. “As my responsibilities have increased in this and other organizations I have worked in, so too have the stresses as well as the opportunities to see positive changes occur.”
More:Southwest Columbia was projected to need a new fire station 20 years ago. It’s now open
Columbia Fire Department’s Chief Training Officer Arnhart will serve as interim chief as the city again starts a search for its next fire chief.
“I am excited to step into this role to allow continuity for employees of the fire department and for the future of the department as our next chief comes on board,” Arnhart said previously.
Other council business Monday will focus on authorizing construction and easements for a single-lane roundabout at Route K and Old Plank Road and contract amendments with the Columbia Police Officers Association to address pay compression. Looking ahead, the council will hold its next 2025 budget work session 5 p.m. April 30.
More:Columbia Fire Chief Clayton Farr Jr. is retiring after 18 months as permanent chief
Charles Dunlap covers local government, community stories and other general subjects for the Tribune. You can reach him at cdunlap@columbiatribune.com or @CD_CDT on Twitter. Subscribe to support vital local journalism.
