News

Fire Department fights for prevention

With cherry pickers projecting into the sky, 33 fire trucks rumbled down State Street Sunday for the Annual Dane County Fire Chief's Parade.

Spectators lined the curbs from Library Mall to the Capitol, where the fire trucks were on display for the afternoon. The parade helped kick off Fire Prevention Week in Dane County, which officially runs nationally from Oct. 7-13, though its activities extend throughout the whole month of October in Madison.

Eric Dahl of the Madison Fire Department Community Education Office called the parade a success.

"The weather was nice, and there was good attendance from both the fire departments and the people who came out to watch," Dahl said.

He added the parade, which was started several years ago to mark the beginning of Fire Prevention Week, helps give a little more attention to the fire department and the work it does, which often goes unnoticed.

"It really helps get the firefighters together, out talking to the public, and talking about fire safety," Dahl said.

Benjamin Fortin, one of a number of University of Wisconsin students who attended the parade, said the event was about more than just admiring shiny trucks.

"You never really see the faces of firefighters," Fortin said. "I think it's cool that they're out here interacting with people."

Firefighters from Madison and the surrounding area gave spectators tours of the fire trucks, suited them up in firefighter gear and handed out fire safety information. The indisputable crowd favorite of the day, however, was a Dalmatian firehouse dog, sprawled out in the street with its tongue hanging out, panting in the hot sun.

Young Al Valend, who came to see the parade with his family as an aspiring firefighter, said he wants to ride alongside a Dalmatian in a fire truck someday.

"Any chance he can get to see a fire engine, we're there," said Al's father, Ryan Valend.

The Dane County Fire Department is hoping to inspire such excitement in children, as well as raising awareness, during its Fire Prevention Month.

"Lots of children dream of being a firefighter when they grow up," Dahl said. "You never know — this may be when they get their start."

As part of their ongoing educational efforts, all Madison fire stations will be holding open houses Oct. 13 from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. The MFD's Community Education unit will also be visiting Madison elementary schools throughout the month for presentations on fire safety and prevention.