News: Online exclusive

Alders receive safety orientation [ONLINE EXCLUSIVE]

Madison police and fire chiefs set up relationship with new city leaders

The Madison police chief and fire chief oriented new alders on the ins and outs of their new job Monday night.

Police Chief Noble Wray and Fire Chief Debra Amesqua instructed new alders on how to work with Madison police and fire staff to best serve their districts in regards to safety.

Wray said he encourages alders to communicate with Madison police concerning happenings in their neighborhood.

“You’re hearing things in the community sometimes that we may not be hearing,” Wray said. “It is so vital to reach out and have that communication.”

Ald. Bryon Eagon, District 8, said he is working with police and fire officials to incorporate new safety measures in District 8, including adding more residential lighting and implementing new smoke alarm legislation.

“In general, safety is the No. 1 issue in my mind, and I think it is for many students as well,” Eagon said.

Many residents think of the police department when it comes to safety, but are often unaware of the role the fire department plays in the community, Eagon said.

Eagon said he hopes to expand safety dialogue among students to include more topics in fire safety, including issues with fire alarms, fire escapes and fire codes.

“Sometimes the smoke alarms in houses have no battery, especially among students who haven’t lived long on their own and don’t always have the best safety practices,” Eagon said.

Recently passed national regulations require residents or owners to install new tamper-proof fire alarms that contain a lithium battery that will last 10 years, Amesqua said.

Although the fire alarm cannot be dismantled, Amesqua said it has a button to reset the device in case it goes off during a non-emergency.

Amesqua said the fire alarm is the single most lifesaving device created in the past 100 years, stressing the importance of making sure they are equipped with fresh batteries.

“Some people don’t have batteries inside their alarms, which is criminal,” Amesqua said.

Eagon said he wants to help raise awareness of the new fire alarm regulations among students and continue former District 8 Ald. Eli Judge’s work of creating incentives for landlords and homeowners to install residential lighting.

According to Eagon, an agreement passed by the city last fall would allow landlords and homeowners to apply for a grant that would cover half of the cost of outdoor lighting they install.

By helping defray costs, the grant will serve as an incentive for residents to install lighting that will help make the neighborhood safer, Eagon said.

In addition to safety issues, Wray also discussed the political aspects of alder’s jobs, including relations between police and other city officials.

Wray said ride-alongs, which are when a person shadows an officer at his or her job, are an effective way for both alders and police officers to gain an understanding of the work each other does and work better together.