COLUMBIA SPY: Columbia Fire Chief Scott Ryno says goal of grant is to prolong firefighting system

"The goal of that is to prolong the volunteer firefighting system as long as we can," Scott Ryno, Contracted Grant Administrator for Capitol Region Council of Governments, said.

According to Ryno, 21 fire companies across the region are taking part in the grant, with the end-goal being to eliminate the need for most, if not all, paid [volunteer] firefighter positions.