Madison Fire’s Bernadette Galvez Receives State Honor for Work in Fire Prevention

Madison Fire Department Community Education Officer Bernadette Galvez is Wisconsin’s “Public Educator of the Year,” according to the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association.

Each year, this statewide honor is presented to “an outstanding public educator … who has demonstrated superior achievement in the area of fire prevention.”

Galvez is a 34-year veteran of the Madison Fire Department and has been the department’s Community Education Officer since 1994. She has made an enduring impact on our community over the last three decades through her work in local schools, workplaces, residential facilities, and other community organizations.

Celebrated for her unique ability to connect with children, Galvez visits public and private elementary schools across Madison each October for Fire Prevention Month. During these school visits, she speaks to kids from kindergarten through third grade about home fire prevention and safety. This outreach alone results in the greatest number of residents reached during one educational program, with more than 4,100 children and teachers participating annually.

“Bernadette brings an unmatched energy to work every day with the goal of having a positive influence on everyone she interacts with,” said Bill Sullivan, Fire Marshal for the City of Madison. “If you see her in action, delivering a safety message to a group of kids, assisting a family in time of need after a fire, or checking in on her co-workers, you will see her compassion for people and devotion to safety education. She truly is one of a kind.”

Altogether, Galvez reaches an estimated 45,000 people each year through her direct outreach to people of all ages and backgrounds. She organizes Safety Saturday, an annual event held on the Capitol Square in partnership with dozens of local organizations. The event draws thousands of people in one morning to learn about injury prevention, fire safety, and more. Galvez’s other collaborative achievements include work with CampHERO, UW-Madison Campus Fire Safety, and the annual Dane County Fire Chief’s Association Fire Truck Parade.

“Bernadette has been the heart and soul of our community education initiatives for more than three decades. She is an invaluable asset to our department and our community. More importantly, she is simply one of the most generous and caring individuals that we have had the privilege to work with,” said Fire Chief Chris Carbon.

Galvez is also known for her compassionate approach to fire prevention and safety education. As coordinator of the Madison Fire Department’s Children and Fire Program, Galvez meets with children who have played with fire or set a fire to talk about the dangers of fire setting. Her approach is holistic and restorative, focusing on the whole person and the circumstances that led to the situation. Her ability to connect with youth builds trust and often leads to an assurance that the child will not play with fire again. 

At an awards banquet hosted by the Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association conference on Thursday, October 24, Galvez received a standing ovation for her contributions to fire prevention education. 

“It's not work for me,” she said as she described her love of the job. She expressed gratitude for the support of her colleagues at the Madison Fire Department.