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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March 22, 2023
New Device Assists Crews Responding to Cardiac Arrests
The Lund University Cardiopulmonary Assist System, more commonly known as the LUCAS device, is a battery-powered device used to provide mechanical chest compressions during cardiac arrest for patients both in and out of the hospital setting. Read more » -
March 15, 2023
PHOTOS: MFD Celebrates International Women's Day, Film Premiere
Denise Sullivan, Bev Buhr, Pamela Jacobson, and Marcia Holtz were members of the historic recruit class of 1980, which included the first group of women to become firefighters in Madison. Read more » -
February 17, 2023
Supporting First Responders a Career-Long Passion for Admin Clerk Ann Blackdeer
When thinking of the fire department, images of fire trucks and firefighters often come to mind. But behind the scenes and away from the front lines, there's a clerical team working to the rhythm of the department— managing records requests, supply orders, public inquiries, and more. Read more » -
February 13, 2023
From Tragedy, a Tradition of Giving Back
Sable Flames, Inc., a non-profit association of Black firefighters on the Madison Fire Department, was founded after a tragic fire on Somerset Circle. They celebrate 30 years of outreach this year. Read more » -
January 14, 2023
John Fleming Retires From Career He Loved for Its Variety, Camaraderie
Lieutenant John Fleming retired this month, celebrating a 29-year career with the Madison Fire Department. Read more »