Columbus appoints Assistant Chief Dave Baugh as interim fire chief during leadership transition and ongoing review
Interim appointment follows resignation of the previous chief
The City of Columbus has appointed Assistant Chief Dave Baugh to serve as interim fire chief, placing a long-tenured command officer in the top post as the Division of Fire continues a leadership transition triggered by the resignation of former Chief Jeffrey Happ.
Happ’s departure became effective January 16, 2026, after disciplinary charges were initiated in connection with his handling of a 2023 fatal crash involving a Columbus fire engine on Interstate 270 near the Hamilton Road exit. The crash killed Timothy Wiggins, 63. The administrative case centered on whether discipline and policy changes were pursued within the Division after the incident and subsequent criminal proceedings involving the firefighter who was driving the apparatus.
Who Dave Baugh is and what his current portfolio has included
Baugh is an assistant chief within the Columbus Division of Fire and has been part of the division’s executive staff. His recent assignment has included oversight connected to the Fire Prevention Bureau, which is responsible for work such as fire code enforcement, public education, review of building and protection-system plans, and elements of fire investigation coordination and reporting.
The interim designation puts Baugh in charge of day-to-day operations of one of the city’s largest public-safety agencies while Columbus continues its process for selecting permanent leadership.
What changes operationally and what does not
City management has indicated that the selection of permanent fire leadership will proceed separately from near-term operational control. The interim chief is expected to maintain continuity in emergency response, staffing coordination, and administrative supervision while city officials continue implementing training, supervision, and accountability-related actions tied to the broader review of events surrounding the 2023 crash.
Immediate focus: operational continuity in emergency response and supervision across shifts and commands.
Concurrent work: implementation of ordered policy and management actions connected to the post-crash review process.
Longer-term track: selection of permanent leadership through a city-led hiring and appointment process.
Oversight and the broader public-safety context
The Department of Public Safety is led by Director Kate McSweeney-Pishotti, who oversees the city’s public-safety divisions, including fire operations. In recent months, the fire leadership change has unfolded alongside continued internal evaluation of accountability measures associated with the 2023 incident, reflecting the city’s stated emphasis on clearer supervision standards and structured follow-through after critical events.
The interim appointment establishes a single command point at the top of the division during an active transition period, while the city continues work related to training, supervision, and accountability expectations for the department.
No timetable for naming a permanent fire chief was included with the interim appointment announcement. In the meantime, Baugh will serve as interim fire chief as Columbus continues managing both routine public-safety demands and an organizational reset following a leadership change.