Columbus approved nearly $3 million for repairs, but advocates say mold, asbestos, water damage and failing infrastructure show the problems go much further

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Growing concerns over deteriorating Columbus fire stations have prompted the city council to approve nearly $3 million in repairs.

Videos and photos shared online have shown leaking ceilings, structural damage and other serious problems inside some Columbus Fire Department facilities, WSYX reported. Kayleigh Smith, who runs the social media page “CFD Duct Tape,” has been documenting those conditions for months and said the issues go beyond what the new funding will fix.

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The money will pay for new roofs at Fire Station 18, Fire Station 19 and the Reeb Center, along with structural and masonry repairs. Councilmember Nick Bankston introduced the measure, which passed unanimously on June 8 without discussion.

Councilmember Emmanuel Remy also announced a June 25 public hearing on the Columbus Fire Department apparatus.

“It’s like the fire department needs surgery and we’re putting a band-aid on it,” Smith said. “It’s insulting to the firefighters and the citizens of Columbus who paid their taxes to not have this happen. And there’s so many fire departments that are just falling apart.”

Smith, whose father is a retired Columbus fire captain, said she has seen mold, asbestos, water damage and failing infrastructure in stations firsthand. She said fully addressing the department’s facility problems could cost tens of millions more.

At Fire Station 19 in Clintonville, WSYX reported that a cracked structure has left one garage door inoperable, with wooden beams supporting it. Mayor Andrew Ginther said the city has invested about $93 million in fire apparatus over the past five years, with more equipment planned.

“We’re still in a crisis,” Smith said. “People need to know what’s really going on. We’ve lost more ladder trucks from inflation and more people have retired than we’re hiring on.”

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