COLUMBUS — The history of the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department is rich with stories of courage, trust, fortitude and exemplary leadership.
Traditionally, the intrepid firefighting environment of the CVFD has been led predominantly by men. However, this exciting chapter changes as Fire- fighter Anna Schultz steps into the role of captain, proudly becoming the first female captain in the department’s history.
Recently, during the Columbus
VFD's annual officer elections, Schul tz was honored with her captain’s bars, a testament to the department’s confidence in her leadership abilities. She joined the fire department in No -
vember 2020 and bravely combined her firefighting duties with her "real" job as an administrative assistant at Columbus Physical Therapy.
Schultz successfully completed her Firefighter I and II training at Texas A&M between 2020 and 2022. In 2023, she earned her Hazmat and EMR certifi cations through TEEX.
Originally hailing from Jersey Village, where her high school journey began, Schultz's passion for helping others bloomed after she took a health sciences class. Upon her move to Columbus, she was thrilled to find that the local health sciences program offered a more “hands-on” learning experience, fueled her desire to make a differ- ence. A key figure in her journey into the CVFD was one of her teachers, a volunteer firefighter and paramedic from Cat Spring.
Being the first female cap tain of the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department, Schultz stated, " Becoming the first female fire captain in our department is a tremendous honor and I hope it inspires others to see that leadership roles are achievable with dedication and effort.” She further stated, “I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me by the Columbus Volunteer Fire Department and our community. This role isn’t just a personal achievement - it's a reflection of the incredible team of firefighters I am privileged to serve and the community we are committed to protecting.”
CVFD Chief Richard La-Course said about Schutz, “Having Captain Anna Schultz in the department and as a leader is an asset to our organization. She adds a different perspective, dy- namic and vision to the fire de partment.”
Akala Ramos and Lindsay McNutt are two other females working alongside other firefight ers at CVFD.
Schultz truly embraces her commitment to being captain. She sees her role as a vital part of the whole.
Regarding her captaincy, Schultz shared, “As captain, my goal is to strengthen our team, mentor the next generation of firefighters, and ensure we con tinue providing the highest level of service. To me, leadership isn’t about standing above others; it’s about standing beside them in every challenge. I aim to guide with wisdom, lead with heart, and foster a legacy of courage and unity that will inspire others for years to come.”
Next time the fire trucks roll out to a scene, Schultz will grab a fire hose and stand as an example of authentic leadership.
