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A fire department is more than sirens and turnout gear. It’s a workplace culture, a retention problem, a medical response machine, and a public promise that has to hold up at 2 a.m. We sit down with Columbus, Mississippi Fire Chief Duane Hughes as he prepares to retire after 31 years in the department, and he tells the truth about what changed and what still needs work.

We get into how the job used to run on “conditioning” and top-down control, why that mindset shifted toward empowerment, and what actually keeps firefighters from leaving. Hughes breaks down recruitment and retention in plain terms: money is the top answer, but benefits, leadership, scheduling flexibility, and real organizational support can matter just as much. He also explains why Columbus Fire and Rescue’s international accreditation matters, how performance indicators translate into better readiness, and why improved fire ratings can lower homeowners insurance premiums.

Then we pivot from public safety to community arts with Colin Krieger from Golden Triangle Theatre, who previews Hairspray at the Lyceum at Lee.

If you care about Columbus local news, firefighter staffing, EMS realities, severe weather shelter planning, or simply want a great reason to see live theater, this one’s for you. Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show.