Firefighter Austin KuhlRecruit Class 9 is now serving at a fire station near you! Get to know Madison's newest firefighters.

Where are you stationed?
Station 2 (Grand Canyon Blvd.), 'C' shift

What were you doing prior to MFD?

Prior to joining the MFD I was an intern at the Mount Horeb Fire Department. I was a member of that department for a year and a half. During my time there, I was pursuing a degree at MATC in Fire Science. Before joining Mount Horeb I was a student at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

You entered the field just as the COVID-19 pandemic reached Dane County. How did this put a twist in things for you as you started this new career?

It was very strange when COVID-19 hit. There was a drastic reduction in the amount of calls we went on. All of the uncertainty surrounding the virus in the beginning created some uneasiness among the public that was noticeable while on calls. Of course wearing the masks all day has been a strange adjustment as well.

What is something you love about Madison or enjoy doing that is uniquely Madison?

I love how each part of Madison has its own feeling to it. Being able to work at different stations throughout the city, you are able to see how the east side is different from the west side. Working here has also given me more appreciation for the city and the people who live in it.

Tell us something you enjoy about the territory you serve.

Station 2’s territory has a good amount of nursing homes, it has large shopping centers, Woodman’s, and some of the Beltline in the area. All of these things means that there is a wide variety of calls we can expect which makes each day exciting.

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Category: General, Station 2