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Chief Rich Cowger currently serves as the Fire Chief for the Columbus Rural Fire District # 3.

Chief Cowger is the Chair of the Montana State Fire Chief’s Association, serves on the International Association of Fire Chief’s Wildland Fire Policy Committee, is a board member of the IAFC Volunteer and Combination Officers Section, and the State of Montana Wildland Committee. Chief Cowger was part of the Waldo Canyon review team sponsored by the IAFC, Forrest Service, NFPA and IBHS to look at why or why not homes burned in relation to mitigation projects during that event.

Chief Cowger has been with the Columbus Rural Fire District for 25 years and has served as the Fire Chief for the past 19 years. Chief Cowger is red carded as a Division Supervisor, a Structure Protection Specialist, Liaison Officer, Incident Commander T3, Operations Section Chief T2 trainee, and serves with a Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team.
Chief Cowger has a wide range of experience in wildland urban interface fires as well as all hazards response and has written several articles for national publications in regards to the WUI and challenges it presents to communities as well as departments. Chief Cowger was presented with teh John Buckman III Leadership Award by the IAFC/ VCOS in 2016 ans is currently workign on his Bachelors Degree for Fire and EMS Administration.

Robbi King spent 27 years in public safety, including 13 years with Camden County, GA, Fire Rescue where he reached the rank of Assistant Chief. He also served more than 13 years as deputy coroner at the Camden County Coroner’s Office. As assistant chief in Camden County, King helped the agency with firefighting support, management of logistics, and administration of Vector Solutions’ training management platform. He now serves as a solutions engineer with Vector Solutions.

Assistant Chief Metcalfe is committed to providing his crew with exceptional training. He has earned high marks by challenging his team with new props and maze configurations, while leading task-oriented physical training. During the pandemic, he worked to upgrade the agency’s online training management program with Vector Solutions, which has made a significant difference. His positive approach and intense focus elevate the abilities of his crew and the department, encouraging and challenging everyone to continuously improve.