Brad Olson Receives 'Team City Award' for Commitment to Impeccable Service

Fire Training Captain Brad Olson was recognized this week at the Team City Awards, a celebration of the incredible work that City of Madison employees are doing every day to further the values of equity, civic engagement, well-being, shared prosperity, and stewardship. 

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway selected Olson to receive the "Mayor's Choice" Award in recognition of his deep commitment to upholding MFD's high level of service to the people of Madison. 

Olson recently re-imagined and redeveloped the entire Recruit Academy experience. He developed a new curriculum, new training evolutions, and a new format. This was no small feat for a rigorous program that also involved the largest recruit class the department has seen in more than 40 years.

Not intimidated by a major undertaking, Olson also coordinated the testing and acquisition of new thermal imaging cameras and self-contained breathing apparatuses for all front-line firefighters. This process involved reaching out to manufacturers, developing methods for diverse members of the department to test the equipment, and creating an evaluation tool to get unbiased feedback prior to making recommendations to the department. Once the new equipment was selected, he developed a plan for deploying the new equipment in the field.

Olson is currently the most senior, longest-serving member of the commissioned staff at MFD, having just celebrated his 35th anniversary with the department on January 28, 2026.

"It has been amazing to see the most senior member of the department taking the lead and training our newest members of the department," said Assistant Chief Ron Blumer, who nominated Olson. "He shares all his knowledge and experience with every member ... He also empowers his staff— and everyone he trains— with the tools and power to be the best City employee they can be."