Joshua RamseyEighteen new firefighters graduated the MFD Fire Academy on November 6, 2015. We introduce them to you on the MFD Blog throughout December.

Current station assignment: Station 5 (Cottage Grove Rd.)

Why did you want to be a firefighter?
My dad is a volunteer firefighter, and when I was young I had the opportunity to go spend time at the firehouse with him. The exposure and time spent had a positive effect influencing my career choice.

Why did you want to serve in the city of Madison?
I had the opportunity to train with some members of MFD and I saw firsthand their enthusiasm, dedication to the job, and the joy they received from doing their work. That helped me realize I wanted to be part of this organization.

What has been the most rewarding part of your experience so far?
My second day on the job, I was part of a team of professionals (whom I had just met) that resuscitated someone who was pulseless and not breathing (PNB). I don’t know of any other job that can put unfamiliar individuals in a high-stress environment like that and have positive outcomes. It really speaks volumes to the training and professionalism of this department.

Looking back at the Fire Academy, what was the most challenging element?
I found the most challenging/rewarding element to be smoke divers. It was both physically and mentally challenging, pushing us to our breaking points but also building us back up.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to join the MFD?
I would encourage someone to learn as much as they can about the fire service so they can have an idea of what is involved in the job, understand the expectations, and truly evaluate if this is the right career for them. 
 

This content is free for use with credit to the City of Madison - Fire and a link back to the original post.

Category: General, Station 5