Columbus Fire Department welcomes new firefighters

Jared Lucas; Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Dept.
Thomas Nienaber; Photo courtesy of Columbus Fire Dept.

The Columbus Fire Department has two new firefighters. They were sworn in by Mayor Jim Lienhoop during Tuesday’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Jared Lucas is a 30 year old resident of Morgantown and a 2007 graduate of Brown County High School. He is a volunteer Firefighter with the Morgantown Volunteer Fire Department and is employed as an Emergency Medical Technician with Columbus Regional Health Emergency Medical Services. In addition to the Emergency Medical Technician certification, Lucas holds an Indiana Firefighter I and II certification.

Thomas Nienaber is a 28 year old resident of Columbus and a 2010 Graduate of Columbus East High School. Nienaber is a volunteer with the Elizabethtown Volunteer Fire Department and was previously employed by the North Vernon Fire Department. Nienaber is certified as an Indiana Emergency Medical Technician, Rope Rescue Technician and Confined Space Rescue Technician. Nienaber also holds state certifications including Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Operations, and Technical Rescue Awareness.

Lucas and Nienaber will under-go a department familiarization program as part of their on the job training. After completing this training program, both will receive shift and station assignments.