Firefighter Mike ReismanEighteen new firefighters now serve at a fire station near you! Check back daily and get to know them.

Where are you stationed?
I'm at Station 3 (Williamson Street) on the A Shift.

Why did you want to pursue this career?
I worked in Milwaukee for four years doing EMS. That's where I met my wife, who worked in the ER at the time. When we moved to Madison, she continued with emergency medicine, and I continued with EMS, working for Sun Prairie. It's always been what I've done. I like interacting with the community and being calm in the midst of chaos.
 
Why did you want to work in Madison, for the Madison Fire Department?
It's like winning the lottery. Everyone always gushed about how amazing the job is and what opportunities it provides. I wanted to prove to myself that I could get there and achieve that. Plus I fell in love with the city of Madison when we moved here a few years back. Great people and a great community to be a part of. 

What has been the most rewarding part of your experience so far?
I feel connected to the area, knowing that when I drive through the area on my days off I'm going to be working here soon. I'm excited to go to work. And everyone always waves at us!

What advice would you give to someone hoping to join the MFD?
To start off, they have to apply. Take initiative. Everyone I've met has always been very friendly and happy to answer any questions, but you should have the forethought to understand the community you plan to serve or understand the problems facing the community. And have a few recipes handy.

What else would you like to share about yourself?
I got married in Jamaica on April 1, 2017 to my best friend and the most amazing woman.

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 3