North Madison Firehouse Nears CompletionBy Marianne Sullivan In 1925 the North Madison Firehouse was a small white clapboard building, a former schoolhouse converted to another use. In 2005 the North Madison Fire Department will unveil its new facility, a building specifically designed to house the equipment and technology now required for a modern firefighting operation. Still located just south of the Route 79 traffic circle, the department's building has been extensively expanded. The $1.3 million project is being financed entirely by the fire company and the community it serves. The community contributed more than $250,000 in a special fundraising effort, and individual businesses and organizations in town have made substantial contributions in materials and services. As it has done in the past, throughout earlier additions and new construction, the fire company will assume the responsibility of financing the rest of the project. Today's volunteer department has between 40 and 50 members, according to Dick Regan, a North Madison volunteer firefighter and building committee member. The new building will house six vehicles, including a utility truck that rolls out to accidents and is manned by the department's emergency medical technicians; a new rescue truck; a 3,000 gallon tanker; two pumpers, each with the capability to carry 1,000 gallons; and a small brush truck. Regan says, "We are extraordinarily well equipped, perhaps more than fire companies in some major cities." While the personnel are unpaid volunteers, the equipment is financed through the town and tax dollars. The firehouse building and the land on which it sits are owned by the fire company itself. Maintenance and upkeep of the building and property is handled solely through the volunteer company. "Each year we hold a fund drive, and the North Madison community has always been extremely generous. These drives provide the funds we need to maintain the building," he explains. As firefighting has become more complex, and the equipment needed has changed to meet those needs, so have the requirements for adequate operational space. The new expansion includes a watchtower for centralized communications. The tower is a specific gift from the Madison Rotary Club. The expansion will allow for the safe and efficient parking of newer, larger pieces of equipment, and the necessary storage of supplies for individual firefighters and medical equipment for EMTs. "We plan to hold an open house of the new facility early in the new year. Please watch (IT)The Source for an announcement of the open house. We wish to share our excitement with our neighbors and friends," Regan said. The main structure and expansion will be completed shortly. The upper level of the addition remains to be finished, he added. As finances permit, the company will complete this final phase. It will provide fire training space and administrative offices. Regan and the North Madison Fire Department want to thank the following firms, who made substantial contributions of their services: Anderson Bros. Sanitation In addition, the following organizations made contributions: Madison Chamber of Commerce "We also wish to thank the Town of Madison for its cooperation in the project," Regan says.
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