South West Illinois News

Columbia Volunteer Fire Department responded to 160 calls in 2018 - 30.1 percent more than the previous year, according to data from the National Fire Incident Reporting System.

The calls in Columbia included 70 fires - 34 structure fires, 12 vehicle fires and 24 other fires.

In all, the department saw $33,000 in fire loss - or about $471 per fire.

The department also received 90 false calls.

The Columbia Volunteer Fire Department had an annual budget of $676,590 in 2018.

	2017	2018	Year-over-year change (%)
Building Fires	30	34	13.3
Vehicle Fires	4	12	200
Other Fires	30	24	-20
Total Fires	64	70	9.4
Total Calls	123	160	30.1