<p><strong>COLUMBIA —</strong> Columbia Fire & Rescue has launched Community Connect, a secure voluntary platform designed to bridge critical information gaps during emergency responses. The system allows residents to share household details that can help first responders serve them more effectively during time-sensitive situations.</p><p>Participants can provide information about special needs residents, pets, property access, and emergency contacts—details that often prove crucial when seconds count. Fire Chief Chris Cummins noted the practical value: "Emergency response effectiveness often depends on information we don't have when we're dispatched. Community Connect bridges that information gap by allowing residents to share what they believe would help us serve them better during emergencies."</p><p>The platform uses advanced security protocols to protect resident data, with information accessible only to authorized emergency personnel during active responses. Participation remains entirely voluntary, and residents maintain full control over what information they choose to share.</p>