Firefighter Bryce PowellSeventeen new firefighters now serve at a fire station near you! Get to know them by subscribing to the MFD Blog.


Where are you stationed?
Station 5 (Cottage Grove Road) on the B shift.

Why did you want to pursue this career?
Becoming a firefighter has always been a lifelong goal of mine. Becoming a City of Madison Firefighter has been an even bigger dream. The roles and responsibilities of a firefighter represent something that I have always wanted to be a part of. I love the challenges we face every day, learning something new, and sharpening my skills from others around me.

Why did you want to work in Madison, for the Madison Fire Department?
For the most part, I grew up in the Madison area, on the east side of Madison to be exact. Those first responders were my heroes. Firefighters and Paramedics were always coming into my schools talking, reading, and reaching out to every kid. I knew at a very young age I wanted to do the same for other kids one day.

Being able to represent what the MFD stands for is one of the greatest responsibilities I’ve ever been entrusted with; I am honored to be given such an amazing chance by one of the City's highly respected organizations.

What has been the most rewarding part of your experience so far?
After a 16-week academy and almost a full month of station life, every new experience is rewarding, from training at the firehouse to running fire and EMS calls around the city. Serving the public is the biggest reward of them all.

Now that you've graduated the Academy, what do you look forward to the most?
I look forward to serving my community, to giving back to people who have once given to me. I can honestly say I love coming to work every morning, new experiences, new co-workers; every day is a little bit different. I look forward to warmer days and going out to get to know the citizens of Madison.

Looking back at the Fire Academy, what was the most challenging element?
The greatest challenge for me during the academy was to keep telling myself “to never give up.” The academy pushed me harder and further than I ever thought I could go. Not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. It was not easy, but looking back it was beyond worth it.

What advice would you give to someone hoping to join the MFD?
Keep a positive attitude and do not give up. Do not get discouraged if it does not happen right away. Use the time to better yourself and become even more prepared for the job process.

 

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Category: General, Station 5