Fire Department

Flags at all City of Madison firehouses are at half-staff following the death of former Assistant Chief Carl Saxe. Saxe died at his home yesterday morning.

Fire Chief Debra Amesqua called Saxe one of her closest advisors during the time they worked together. Saxe was the Department's Chief of Personnel for many years.

"Personnel issues are among the most challenging parts of any manager's job," said Amesqua. "Saxe was masterful in his ability to work through difficult situations. He was thorough in his investigations, and carried out his duties with a strong sense of fairness. Our hearts go out to his family."

Saxe was hired as a Firefighter with the Department on August 5, 1974. He became one of the Department's first paramedics in 1976, a job he loved enough to postpone promotional opportunities. He became a Lieutenant in 1988, Division Chief in 1993, and served as Assistant Chief from January, 1997 until his retirement in 2006.
Among Chief Saxe's accomplishments with the Department:

•15 years as a Firefighter/Paramedic tending to more than 8,000 patients and delivering four infants
•Replaced wooden backboards with composite blood safe backboards in 1994
•Added twelve lead electrocardiograms to all ambulances in 1995
•Assisted with the design of the Hazardous Material Response Bus in 1996
•Assisted with development of the entry level firefighter hiring process and entry level promotional process, both still in use.

The Department conveys its deepest sympathies to the family and is assisting in funeral arrangements at the family's request.

Department flags will remain at half-staff until sunset the day of Chief Saxe's funeral.