Posted on Wednesday, Mar. 7, 2018 at 2:26 pm

Seventeen new firefighters now serve at a fire station near you! Get to know them by subscribing to the MFD Blog.
 

Where are you stationed?
Station 12 (South Point Road) on the 'A' shift.

Why did you want to pursue this career?
I love helping people, and the fire service gives you the opportunity to do that every single day.

Why did you want to work in Madison, for the Madison Fire Department?
I was born and raised in the Madison area so it feels like home, and it’s a great feeling to be able to give back and protect the city that has already given me so much. Madison has the best fire department in the state and it’s an honor to be a part of it.

What has been the most rewarding part of your experience so far?
Walking across the stage to shake Chief Davis’s hand after being sworn in. There was an immediate sense of pride and accomplishment when you know you’ve finally made your dream come true.

Now that you've graduated the Academy, what do you look forward to the most?
Taking the all the knowledge and skills we were given by the training staff in the academy and putting them to use in the field. Also, becoming part of the very tight-knit family that the MFD is.

Looking back at the Fire Academy, what was the most challenging element?
Balancing work and personal life. There is a good amount of work you need to do outside of the academy to prepare for the next day, which can take time away from family and friends. Finding that balance of knowing when you need to study or do homework and when you should take a break to be with family and friends is a fine line if you want to be successful in the academy. If you have a good support staff at home, it helps a ton.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to join the MFD?
Do everything you can to make yourself the best qualified candidate. That doesn’t just mean having every certification possible either. It means volunteering, being a respectful person, and being compassionate. You may be the most qualified person on paper but if you can’t show that you truly have respect and compassion for the city of Madison during your interviews, it won’t help. Also, you may not make it through the process the first time. It took me three attempts. Just don’t quit on yourself. This is the greatest job in the world, so keep trying.