Meet Lieutenant Dan Verhagen

Where are you stationed? 
Fire Station 7 (McKenna Blvd.) on the ‘B’ shift

What was your previous role? 
My previous role was the Chief’s Aide at 1B.

How long have you been with the MFD? 
Since April of 2008.

What do you enjoy about the station or territory you serve? 
The territory is fun because of the varied neighborhoods and people we serve. We could be responding to a large commercial structure or a single-family residence. We never know exactly what we will encounter on any given day. It makes you think outside of the box and allows us to adapt on any given call.

What would you like others to know about your position that they may not know or think about?  
Not only does Station 7 respond to EMS and fire calls, but we are also the HazMat station for the city. This is an extremely complex special team, which is made of members who have devoted their careers to additional study and training.

What's the most interesting call you've been involved with? 
There was a fire at a larger apartment building in our territory that came in when I was still new to Station 7. There were reports of people trapped with active fire. The crews all around did a fantastic job and responded immediately to a situation that required instant action. I’m always impressed by the quick thinking and capabilities of the members of MFD. As a lieutenant, being in charge of these individuals is both humbling and extremely gratifying.

In what ways do you see your role within the fire department contributing to positive impacts in the Madison community? 
I like to believe that we make people in Madison feel safe. I’d like them to know that we are always there for them to answer their call on what is probably one of the worst days of their life. I believe that the trust we have built with the people of Madison is a key foundation and benefits both the fire department and the people we serve.

What other careers might you have pursued if not this one, and why? 
I have always loved history and thought when I was younger that perhaps I could be a history teacher. That never happened, but I still love to read and watch movies with a historical context. History is so important, even on a fire ground. What we can learn from our past will only help us with decisions that we will make now.

What book are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading “ The Wager” by David Grann. It’s a retelling of a true story of a shipwreck and mutiny that occurred the 1740s.