Columbus Fire Department Hires Three

Columbus Fire Department

Media Release

8/22/17

Columbus Fire Hires Three

The Columbus Fire Department welcomes three firefighters, bringing the department to full staffing. Columbus Firefighters Chris Baker, Monty Ball and Ryan Hirtzel were sworn in by Columbus Mayor Jim Lienhoop, at Tuesday’s Board of Public Works and Safety meeting.

Christopher Baker, 33 , is a 2003 graduate of Batesville High School. Mr. Baker is certified as an Emergency Medical Technician,  Rope Rescue Technician, Hazardous Materials Technician and Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Technician. He also holds a State of Indiana Firefighter I & II certification. Baker  has served 12 years with the Batesville, IN. Volunteer Fire Department and 4 years as a full time firefighter with the Greensburg Fire Department.  Mr. Baker currently resides in Batesville, IN.

Monty Ball, 40, is a resident of Waldron, IN. and is a 1995 graduate of Morristown High School. Mr. Ball attended Vincennes University and IUPUI, where he studied Electronics Engineering. Ball is a certified Paramedic Technician, Rope Rescue Technician,  Hazardous Materials Technician, Vehicle and Machinery Extrication Technician, and holds a State of Indiana Firefighter I & II certification.  Mr. Ball has worked for the Greenfield, IN. Fire Department for the past 10 years. Ball has also served as a part time firefighter for the Greenwood, IN. Fire Department. Mr. Ball , who has also served as a volunteer firefighter,  has worked in public safety for a total of 13 years.

Ryan Hirtzel, 29,  is a 2006 graduate of Seymour High School.  Hirtzel is certified as a Paramedic Technician with additional training  in Pediatric Life Support, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support. He is holds a State of Indiana Firefighter I & II Certification and a Hazardous Materials Operations and Awareness certification. Hirtzel has served with Jackson County EMS for 9 years.

These firefighters will undergo a department orientation and training program before receiving their shift and station assignments.