Fire Department

Recently the Madison Fire Department’s Management Team had an opportunity to sit down with Dr. Floyd Rose of the 100 Black Men of Madison.
 
I first met Dr. Rose several years ago after I had questions regarding educational trends occurring in our community. A trusted friend of mine said, “You should reach out to Dr. Floyd Rose and get his take on the situation.” 
 
I did reach out, and I discovered our philosophies on community and education were very similar. Although he and I are a generation apart and grew up in very different physical locations, we share common ground on the need to help the youth in our community.
 
Dr. Rose presented an opportunity that would allow the department, as an organization, to enhance the services we provide within the City of Madison. 
 
Project SOAR (Student Opportunities, Access and Readiness) is a program sponsored by the 100 Black Men of Madison that targets all students who struggle to find positive influences and mentors in their lives, particularly students who are economically or socially disadvantaged. It also works to resolve chronic absenteeism, juvenile delinquency, and declining graduation rates in Madison’s African American youth.
 
The Madison Fire Department has been invited to get involved early in these young lives through Project SOAR – to work as mentors and stress the importance of education, to demonstrate to our youth that they have options and opportunities to excel in life. 
 
This program allows us at the MFD to give back to the community as one-to-one mentors, Career Academy Instructors, or Success Academy Instructors. The option to participate on a level we can all manage based on time commitment is very much appreciated. 
 
A special thank you to Dr. Rose and the 100 Black Men of Madison for taking the lead to make a difference in our community. And for allowing the Madison Fire Department to be part of a great program.

Steven A. Davis,
Fire Chief


Pictured: Dr. Floyd Rose with the MFD Management Team