The Columbia Fire Department bid farewell to Battalion Chief Steven Sapp at a public reception Friday afternoon. More than 40 people came to City Hall to honor Battalion Chief Steven Sapp for his 22 years of service in the Fire Department.
The crowd included members of the fire department and Sapp’s parents, wife, children and grandchildren, among others. Fire Chief Charles Witt presented a shadowbox full of memorabilia to Sapp on the behalf of the fire department. He said it will be hard to see Sapp go.
“Somebody that has the quality of work and has the institutional knowledge, he’s been here since ’89, so he’s established a number of relationships and had a lot of positive things, milestones, just to say that he’s accomplished in his career," said Witt.
Sapp said the decision to leave the department was bittersweet, but it was time for someone else to take on the role.
“These guys coming up below me are brighter and smarter than me and they’re going to do a great job,” said Sapp.
One of those guys is Brad Frazier. He’s being promoted from his job as Fire Lieutenant to fill Sapp’s shoes.
“He’s been kind of a pioneer for the Columbia Fire Department, he’s done a lot of positive things, instituted a lot of great programs, and again, it’s going to be a big challenge, but I’m looking forward to it,” said Frazier.
Even though Sapp’s retired from the fire department, his work in the city isn’t over yet. After one week of retirement, he’s going back to work in public information for the public works department.