Photo provided Firefighter Nick Lynn and Firefighter James Hopkins have joined the Columbus Fire Department.
The Columbus Fire Department (CFD) has welcomed two new members. Firefighters James Hopkins and Nick Lynn were sworn in by Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon during the Tuesday Board of Public Works and Safety meeting held at Columbus City Hall.
Hopkins, 35, is a Jackson County resident and volunteer firefighter with the Brownstown Volunteer Fire Department. Hopkins is a certified basic emergency medical technician and holds Indiana Firefighter I & II certifications and hazardous materials awareness and operations certifications. Hopkins is also a part time employee with Jackson County Emergency Medical Services.
Lynn, 25, is a Johnson County resident who holds Indiana Firefighter I & II certifications as well as hazardous materials awareness and operations certifications.
Hopkins and Lynn will undergo a Columbus Fire Department orientation and training program which will conclude with station and shift assignments. Firefighter Lynn will receive additional training to achieve the basic emergency medical technician certification, a requirement for all Columbus firefighters.
The addition of Hopkins and Lynn moves the department to a staffing of 93 firefighters, two shy of the full staffing of 95 sworn firefighters. The CFD is currently hosting a hiring process to establish a hiring list for 2026 and fill immediate vacancies left by recent retirements.
