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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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 » -
December 30, 2022
Lieutenant Larry Grab Reflects on Career Full of 'Firsts'
The Madison Fire Department recently said goodbye to Lieutenant Larry Grab, who retired in September as the longest-serving member of the MFD, capping off a record-setting 42-year career with the department. Read more » -
November 29, 2022
Madison Fire Seeks Community Members to Serve on Firefighter/EMT Interview Panel
You care about who serves our community just as much as we do! That's why we give community members a voice in our firefighter/EMT hiring process. Read more » -
November 23, 2022
Recipe for a Safe Thanksgiving
Cooking is a leading cause of home fires in the United States, and Thanksgiving Day is the likeliest day they will occur, according to data tracked by the U.S. Fire Administration. Read more » -
August 11, 2022
Meet Lieutenant Jan Hesslink
Where are you stationed? I’m a roving lieutenant on the ‘B’ shift. What was your previous position? I was an Apparatus Engineer at Station 2 (Grand Canyon Drive) on the ‘B’ shift. How long have you been with the MFD? I joined the MFD in 2003. What do you like about being a “roving” Lieutenant? Read more »