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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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 » -
August 3, 2022
Meet Lieutenant Kevin McDonald
Where are you stationed? I’m a rover on the ‘A’ shift. What was your previous position? I was a Firefighter/Paramedic at Station 3 (Williamson Street). How long have you been with the MFD? I was hired October of 2005 at 20 years old. Read more » -
July 19, 2022
Meet Lieutenant David Bridges
Where are you stationed? I’m a rover on the ‘B’ shift. What was your previous position/station assignment? I was at Station 1 (W. Dayton Street) as a Chief’s Aide on the ‘B’ shift. How long have you been with the MFD? 21 years Read more » -
July 7, 2022
Answering the Call: Patrick Tomko Reflects on Career, From Priesthood to Paramedicine
Few in the fire service can say they arrived at the career by walking a divine path, but for Patrick Tomko, a life of service was always part of the plan. “I never had a job before besides priesthood,” said Tomko. “By the age of 14, I was on the track for ministry, whether I knew that at the time or not.” Read more » -
April 18, 2022
Ready For ‘Combat’ – Crews Train To Save Fellow Firefighters
The MFD Fire Training Division oversees a comprehensive year-round training program that is as versatile in its curriculum and tactics as the field of firefighting demands. Read more »