City of Madison Fire Department

Put the lifesaving power of CPR in your hands! Each month we offer free training on hands-only CPR and AED use.

Our next classes take place Wednesday, August 28 at Fire Station 14 (3201 Dairy Drive). Sign up here: https://www.eventbrite.com/o/madison-fire-department-63261491173

Tracy Burrus knows a mark of good leadership is recognizing someone's potential and then cultivating their talent. The same thing happened to her 30 years ago while a student at Western Illinois University.

In the years since, Asst. Chief (Ret.) Burrus has built a career in the fire service where developing strong teams and rooting for the underdog were driving principles.

Read about her career on the : https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-08-11/assistant-chief-ret-tracy-burrus-on-leaning-in-and-rooting-for-the-underdog

Thanks to the Glendale Neighborhood Association for inviting us to be a part of their summer festival! Engine 14 had a great time visiting with folks last night at Virginia Henderson Elementary School.

Thanks, Madison Police Department, for inviting us to be a part of National Night Out, and thanks to everyone who came!

Congratulations to Sean McGinnis, who has been reclassified to the rank of Apparatus Engineer 2, also known as "Chief's Aide." This position is vital to the day-to-day operations of MFD, from coordinating the daily staffing, assisting Incident Command during structure fires and other significant emergencies, to so much more. Welcome aboard, AE2 McGinnis!

Come see us at Parks Alive! We'll be at Hammersley Park this week. The event is free and so are the hugs! 🤗

Parks Alive takes place 5-8 PM Wednesday. More info: https://www.cityofmadison.com/parks/events/2024-08-07/parks-alive-hammersley-park

You may have seen Brandon Acker about town. So far, he's served at Station 3 on W***y Street and Station 6 on W. Badger Road. Now you'll he's on the east side at Station 13.

Find out why FF/EMT Acker has found these rotations around the city so rewarding: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-26/meet-firefighter-emt-brandon-acker

Does your backyard fire pit look something like this? It should!
✔️ Spark screen on top
✔️ Only clean, dry wood inside
✔️ Stable, non-combustible surface below
✔️ 15 feet or more from buildings and lot lines

Learn more about our outdoor & open burning ordinance: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/your-safety/home/outdoor-and-open-burning

Bryce Anderson grew up around the fire service. He began volunteering in high school, recognizing early that this was the career he wanted to pursue. Anderson is now a firefighter/EMT serving you from Fire Station 7 on the west side!

Meet FF/EMT Anderson: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-26/meet-firefighter-emt-bryce-anderson

We know cardiac arrest can happen anywhere, anytime. That's why all of our personnel, including our Fire Prevention and Leadership staff, remain trained and certified in CPR.

We want to put the lifesaving power of CPR in your hands -- for free! Sign up for our next class, this Wednesday:

8:30 AM: https://tinyurl.com/4tc2wty6
10:45 AM: https://tinyurl.com/y584tmd5

Getting out the grill this weekend? Remember to keep a "safe zone" around your grill.

Children and pets should stay at least three feet away.

Place your grill at least 10 feet away from buildings, fences, and decking before lighting it up.

Casey Dolphin is proud to be from Madison. As a member of the MFD team, he's ready to "give back and help the community that has done so much" for him.

Get to know FF/EMT, now serving Madison's north side: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-24/meet-firefighter-emt-casey-dolphin

YOU can help save a life! Our next free Community CPR/AED class is next Wednesday at Fire Station 12 (400 South Point Road). Two classes are available. Register at the links below!

8:30 AM: https://tinyurl.com/4tc2wty6
10:45 AM: https://tinyurl.com/y584tmd5

Four of our members are promoted to the role of Apparatus Engineer today! Our AEs are a vital member of each engine and ladder company-- responsible for getting our fire/EMS crews to each call safely and critical to ensuring ample water supply during a fire fight.

Congratulations to Aaron Alexander, Brian Bieganski, Jameson Holum, and Kevin Kruchten!

We remain on fire watch this morning at 8502 Mineral Point Road following a large fire at UW-Madison's West Madison Agricultural Research Station. Mineral Point Road is reopened. We thank the community for its cooperation during last night's extended incident. Incident details: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/daily-reports/2024-07-19/structure-fire-closes-portion-of-mineral-point-road-this-evening

Connor Kowalke always had a passion to serve and help people. What better way to do that than by joining the fire department? You’ll find FF/EMT Kowalke serving Madison’s south side on Ladder 6!

Get to know FF/EMT Kowalke: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-18/meet-firefighter-emt-connor-kowalke

Want to learn more about lithium ion batteries and how to prevent lithium ion battery-related fires? Check out this presentation by MFD Fire Training Officer Cameron Gasaway!

Lithium-Ion Battery Fire Safety Did you read this this morning, "Lithium-ion battery blamed for Marble Hill fire?" How about similar stories involving phones, laptops and EVs? Lithium-ion ...

When lithium ion batteries start on fire, they undergo a process called thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is what causes the batteries to burn hot and fast, and it can be very difficult to extinguish them.

That's why it's so important to know how to properly dispose of your lithium ion batteries! These are rechargeable batteries commonly found in your electric appliances (e.g. lawn mowers and power tools), household electronics, e-bikes and e-scooters, and more.

🔋 Tape the contact points (the parts that conduct electricity) with clear packaging tape. Do not use any other kind of tape.
🔋 Smaller batteries can be pressed between two strips of packaging tape so they are fully covered.
🔋 Take these batteries to a proper drop-off site.
🔋 The City of Madison, Wisconsin Government offers drop-off sites at Sycamore Avenue, Olin Avenue, and South Point Road (next to Fire Station 12).

These photos are from a recent Ladder 6 response involving garbage truck contents that started on fire. The cause was improperly disposed lithium ion batteries.

More tips for discarding household batteries: https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/recycling/batteries.cfm

Find your nearest drop-off location: https://www.cityofmadison.com/streets/Drop-Off/index.cfm

Chris Schmid was inspired to pursue this career after doing a ride-along with MFD while still in high school. Now you'll find him serving our community from Fire Station 1 in downtown Madison!

Meet FF/EMT Schmid: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-15/meet-firefighter-emt-chris-schmid

Quin Sporleder has been serving Madison's west side since joining our team, and you'll currently find him at Fire Station 12. "The most rewarding part of being with the MFD is feeling constant community support and appreciation."

Get to know FF/EMT Sporleder: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-12/meet-firefighter-emt-quin-sporleder

Our Code Enforcement Officers are the "silent heroes" of the Madison Fire Department. Their success is measured in the fires that don't happen, thanks to their work performing routine inspections and educating property and business owners about fire prevention.

Join our team as a Code Enforcement Officer! On-the-job training is provided. Learn more and apply by July 21: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/madisonwi/jobs/newprint/4564105

Trammell Lynes has loved the energy of the city. He's attended multiple Badger games, CrossFit games, concerts and festivals as a spectator. Now he's able to experience them in a new way-- as a Firefighter/EMT on special assignment.

Meet FF/EMT Lynes, now serving from Fire Station 1 in downtown Madison: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-09/meet-firefighter-emt-trammell-lynes

Ladder 6 was able to get some aerial master stream operations practice in on this beautiful afternoon. Ready for the next big call!

Today we're excited to celebrate three new promotions within our department!

🌟 Chris Hammes is promoted to Assistant Chief of EMS Operations
🌟 Daniel Williams is promoted to Division Chief of EMS Training/Logistics
🌟 Daniel Verhagen is promoted to Lieutenant (roving), 'B' shift

Congratulations to all!

Melanie Petersen is grateful to bring her compassion to emergency calls as a firefighter/EMT. After serving on the Fire Investigation Team at Station 11 and the UW-Madison campus on Engine 4, you'll now find her on Madison's north side!

Get to know FF/EMT Petersen: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/blog/2024-07-05/meet-firefighter-emt-melanie-petersen

Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your July 4 festivities, Madison! We had a blast celebrating with you! 🌟🇺🇸🎉

Congratulations to Asst. Chief Ché Stedman, who retires today. Stedman became a paramedic in 1999 and remained invested in MFD's EMS operations throughout his career. Most recently, he has been integral to the launch and successful implementation of the CARES program. Thank you, Chief Stedman, for your dedicated service!

Fourth of July greetings from the front of the parade!
🚒🚑🇺🇸
From all of us at MFD, celebrate safely, and have a happy Independence Day!

The fire at 2334 Vondron Road remains under investigation, and a fire crew is still on scene to continue monitoring for flare-ups. A complete update and summary of the incident can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/4ab38auv

MFD would like to thank the following community partners for their assistance on this challenging scene:
• Madison Police Department for controlling vehicular traffic and ensuring our safety during this extended incident.
• City of Madison Engineering Division for providing heavy equipment to help us sift through the scene.
• Madison Metro for providing a bus to be used as a shelter from the rain as crews cycled in and out of the active fire fight.
• City of Madison Fleet Services for providing fuel for our rigs.
• MGE for their quick response and for controlling utilities on the property so we could perform our duties safely.
• Salvation Army Disaster Services for providing food and hydration to our 50+ on-scene firefighters.
• The owners and operators of nearby businesses who opened their restrooms to our firefighters.
• All neighbors, property owners, business owners, and passersby who were affected by the street closures and other inconveniences presented by this situation. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding!

UPDATE, 8:00 PM 7/2/24: The majority of MFD companies have cleared from Vondron Rd, and the street is open to traffic.

One engine company will remain on site overnight for fire watch, and fire investigators also remain on scene.

This is expected to be the final update of the evening.

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UPDATE: As of 4:30 PM, the fire on Vondron Road has been knocked down. Firefighters continue to sift through the scene and put out hotspots. We expect to remain on scene for several hours.

Fire investigators are also on scene to begin the work of identifying the cause of the fire.

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🚨 MFD has been on scene of a structure fire on the 2300 block of Vondron Rd. The street is shut down at Pflaum and Mustang. Large amounts of cardboard stored in the facility are believed to be fueling the fire. Please avoid the area until further notice.

Subscribe for updates: https://www.cityofmadison.com/fire/daily-reports/2024-07-02/mfd-on-scene-of-structure-fire-on-vondron-road