Columbia-Adair County Fire Department has accepted their first female firefighter to the volunteer organization.
Elizabeth True-Mitcham was voted into the department in January 2025.
She began as a volunteer firefighter with Breeding Area Volunteer Fire Department in July 2023.
True-Mitcham wanted to join the county department originally, but they were not accepting applications at that time. She worked alongside their members numerous times and was persistent in making it known she would like to join their department. She applied in February 2024 and periodically checked back with the department to see if they were conducting interviews.
True-Mitcham stated that she initially was interested in search and rescue and then began doing some of the firefighter duties and fell in love with it.
“I love the ability to have the training to help people out and be there on their worst days,” said True-Mitcham, who hopes that she leaves an impact on someone even on those bad days and that she shows care and compassion.
In October 2024, she was a passerby at an accident where a man was trapped with the vehicle starting to catch fire. With only a radio and a fire extinguisher, she did not hesitate to put herself in danger to save a life.
With quick thinking and the efforts of several people, they were able to successfully extricate the occupant before he succumbed to the fire.
True-Mitcham, along with others on the scene of the accident, are being recognized in the first annual Spirit of Columbia award ceremony on April 18 at 1 p.m. at the City Park on Fairground St. This award ceremony is hosted by the City of Columbia in partnership with TJ Health Columbia to recognize first responders.
Donald Hare, president of the Columbia-Adair County Fire Department board, said that True-Mitcham is the first female to apply to join the department. She underwent a background check and interview, which led to the department voting in favor of her joining the department due to her potential. All new firefighters must undergo a state certification and complete a one-year probationary period. The department will again vote to accept her as a member.
True-Mitcham said that she is proud to be the first woman on the department and takes a lot of pride in that. As a woman, she believes she must work harder to prove herself in a field primarily dominated by men and demonstrate that she can do it just as well. She really hopes that seeing her on the fire department will inspire other females to want to join as well.
By Amy Pike
newsroom2@adairvoice.com
