Three weeks ago, Columbia Firefighter Zach Lollis faced every firefighter’s worst nightmare. 

In the early hours of the morning on August 21, 2025, Lollis and his Dentsville station crew responded to a commercial fire. Within moments of forcing the front door, the roof gave way and collapsed on top of him. Pinned under debris and surrounded by fire, Zach called a mayday. He became trapped, but was saved within 17 minutes. 

Firefighting has always been part of Zach Lollis’s life. He is a fourth-generation firefighter, carrying on a proud family tradition. But two weeks ago, in a burning Columbia building, that legacy nearly ended when the roof collapsed on top of him.

“I just knew that I had to get out of there, so I was trying to pull myself out anywhere I could,” Zach said. “Once I realized I was actually stuck and that I wasn’t going anywhere, I was absolutely terrified. I thought I was gonna die, but I knew people were coming for me, and they would give it all they had.”

He suffered second-degree burns, but he survived. Today, Zach is home recovering, supported by his fellow firefighters and his family.

But when he talks about that night, one concern keeps coming up: staffing.

“It’s a concern for us, but it should also be a concern for the citizens,” Zach explained. “When a truck goes out short, firefighters end up doing two, sometimes three jobs at once. That’s when mistakes happen. It’s not ideal.”

On the night of his mayday, several trucks were running short. Only one that helped get him out had a whole crew. 

“We got lucky,” Zach said. “I was able to walk out. But the next time, we may not be so lucky.”

Since that night, Zach says he’s felt incredible support. “Chief Jenkins and Mayor Rickenmann came to the hospital. Members of Local 793 and the department have checked on me every single day.” 

But he also knows that support after the fact isn’t enough. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, it takes 12 firefighters to save one downed firefighter. 

Firefighting will always come with risks, but running short makes it even more dangerous. Not just for the firefighters, but for the people they protect.

“Our job is to protect the community,” Zach said. “But the community has to help protect us too.”

Safety should never be negotiable. The Columbia Professional Firefighters Association Local 793 is calling for fully staffed trucks. Every firefighter missing places all of us at greater risk, especially the citizens we swore to protect. Please get in touch with your City or County representative and Chief Aubrey Jenkins and let them know our community can’t afford empty seats or short crews.

 

Edit made on Saturday, September 13. Original story included a quote from Lollis. Changed to “He also knows that support after the fact isn’t enough. According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, it takes 12 firefighters to save one downed firefighter.”