Station One
Fire Station #1 is the City’s largest and busiest firehouse. It was originally built in 1967 at the same time as the adjacent Fire Administration Building.
The Fire Administration building was torn down in July 2013 and reopened in the new Ovation building on Dayton Street in December 2015.
Fire Station #1 is a double-company house and the home base for the Madison Fire Department's Lake Rescue Team.
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Fire Station 1Serving the downtown area, including the Capitol Square and UW-Madison campus. -
Ralph E. Chamberlin IIThe 24-foot Lake Assault rescue boat is named after a founding member of the MFD Lake Rescue Team. -
Daniel P. Parkinson Memorial BuildingStation 1 is dedicated to the memory of Firefighter Daniel Parkinson, who died in the line of duty in 1966. -
Command Car 31The Command Car is staffed by an Officer In Charge and a Chief's Aide. -
Engine 1 OfficeThe Engine company's officer uses this office to write reports and conduct station business. -
Station 1 Memorial MooseThis was a prized possession of Lt. K-Tal Johnson, who died in 2008. His family donated it to the department in his memory. -
Station 1 KitchenThe engine company, ladder company, Officer In Charge, and Chief's Aide dine together every day. -
Station 1 MealtimeCooking for ten is always a team effort. -
Station 1 Sleeping QuartersEach firefighter has a bed, study area, and closet space. -
Station 1 Workout RoomFirefighters use the workout room to stay in shape. The stair climber is a popular machine, given downtown Madison's numerous high-rise buildings. -
EMS BikesEMS bikes stored at Station 1 are used for events such as Ironman, Madison Marathon, and other City events that require mobility within high-density areas. -
Tiller Ladder 1Seen from the front with doors open. -
Hook & Ladder Co. 1Displayed on aerial ladder. -
YapperThe Lake Rescue Team airboat, nicknamed "Yapper"
Equipment
- Engine 1 – a 2016 Pierce Quantum Pumper. It has a 1,250 gallons-per-minute fire pump and a complement of ground ladders, fire hose, and tools. In addition, Engine 1 carries emergency medical equipment including a defibrillator, oxygen, and immobilization gear.
- Ladder 1 – a 2020 Pierce Ascendant 107-foot tiller aerial ladder with computerized hydraulics. Has a 1500 gallon-per-minute flow rate when flowing the aerial master stream via relay from another engine.
- Car 31 – a 2015 Suburban LT. The Command car is used by the Officer in Charge (OIC) to respond to significant incidents including structure fires, rollover vehicle crashes requiring extrication, and other incidents requiring the intervention of the Department’s Special Teams
- Lake Rescue SCUBA 1 –
- 2020 Midwest Rescue Airboat, named "Yapper," featuring a 427 ci LS7 650hp engine with Holley Dominator EFI system, twin axle system, galvanized design, and 9" Garmin 922 touch screen mapping system.
- 24-foot 2015 Lake Assault Rescue Boat - Marine One, named "The Ralph Chamberlin II," fully equipped with state-of-the-art RADAR, SONAR, and FLIR thermal imaging system. It has a 500 gallon-per-minute attack pump for fire suppression.
- Utility 1 – 2002 GMC3500 Utility Truck used to tow the Lake Assault boat to emergency calls
- Car 52 – a 2004 Chevy pick-up truck designated for the on-duty Captain
- 16-foot Tracker Jon Boat-Marina Two – Auxiliary fire-rescue boat equipped with fire pump.
Daily Staffing
The double-company personnel requirement at Station #1 includes:
- 2 Lieutenants, one for the ladder and one for the engine
- 2 Apparatus Engineers (drivers), one for the ladder and one for the engine
- 4 Firefighters, two for the ladder and two for the engine
- 1 OIC. This is a member of the Command Staff (Assistant or Division Chief) assigned to Car 31 for on-scene incident management.
- 1 Chief's Aide assisting the OIC and driving Car 31
- 1 Captain
- The Lake Rescue Team: 57 certified rescue divers (6 divers on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year)
Station One News
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July 15, 2021
Include Your Pets In Your Home Fire Safety Plan. Here's How!
Today is National Pet Fire Safety Day! This annual awareness day is a great time to practice your home evacuation plan with your pet and to make sure your pet's emergency 'Go Kit' is stocked and ready. Read more » -
June 15, 2021
MFD Welcomes New Recruits at First In-Person Ceremony Since COVID-19 Pandemic
The Madison Fire Department welcomed a new class of firefighters into its ranks at the first in-person graduation ceremony since the COVID-19 pandemic. Joining Recruit Class 11 were the two firefighters from Recruit Class 10, who graduated their Academy last year but did not get to celebrate their accomplishments at a traditional graduation ceremony due to the pandemic. Read more » -
April 28, 2021
Ladder Companies Complete Rooftop Training at Former Westgate Mall
The MFD Fire Training Division recently completed commercial roof operations training at Westgate Mall through our acquired structure program. All ladder companies in the city attended this training. In six days, over 50 ventilation holes were cut with over 100 of our members taking part in the training. Read more » -
March 21, 2021
Assistant Chief Mike Popovich, Celebrating 33 Years at MFD, Retires
Assistant Chief Mike Popovich takes one last tour on Command Car 31 today—the 33rd anniversary of his very first day on the Madison Fire Department—as he wraps up a rich career that spanned nearly every rank and position within the department. Read more » -
February 24, 2021
Asst. Chief (Ret.) Arthur Dinkins III Broke Glass Ceiling for Black Firefighters at MFD
Prior to his career at the Madison Fire Department, Arthur Dinkins III served eight years in the U.S. Navy and was employed at Wisconsin Physicians Service (WPS). He always enjoyed participating in sports and being physically active, though it never occurred to him to become a firefighter. In fact, growing up, he never thought Black people could even be firefighters. Read more »