FRONT PAGE FEATURED, Madison, News, PICTURE FLIPPER, RSS Facebook, RSS General, RSS Twitter
 By  Michael Hansberry Published 
3:54 pm Friday, December 3, 2010

Fire Chief: ‘Our goal is zero calls’

Cobb inside Fire Station No. 1. Cobb said his goal is to lower the amount of calls to 911.

Madison’s Fire Department, headed by Fire Chief Ralph Cobb, isn’t the standard run-of-the-mill fire station.

Among typical duties of suppressing fires around town, the fire department also offers services to equip citizens with the skills to deal with certain emergencies unaccompanied.

“This isn’t the average fire department.“ Cobb said. “We not only deal with structural fires, but provide emergency medical services and offer a wide variety of fire education and prevention services.”

Every firefighter is a certified emergency medical technician and 2/3 of them are paramedics, which  requires a two-year training.

Cobb said firefighters on the trucks can all provide emergency medical help. They carry cardiac monitors and drugs just like the ambulance.

“It’s important to citizens of Madison that we have these skills because we typically arrive first,” he said.

He said if the situation could be fixed on the scene, they usually dismiss the ambulance from coming.

The department offers CPR classes  to the public every other Saturday, at a cost of $5 per class.

“The keys to a successful resuscitation is bystander intervention,” Cobb said. “We’re going to get there as quick as we can, but the most important factor is that bystander who has been trained, and in our opinion, everyone healthy enough to perform should be trained.”

He said by providing those CPR services and offering prevention education, actual transports to the hospital is 15 percent less in Madison, compared to other communities.

“The main thing is that we’re here for the citizens and that we improve their quality of life,” Cobb said. “We would not be here if it weren’t for their needs.”

Around 80 percent of the 911 calls deal with medical issues, car wrecks and illnesses, according to Cobb.

“A large number of the medical calls are time sensitive and the quicker someone is by your side, the more likely you are to prevent death and extension of injury,” Cobb added. “Our goal is zero calls.”

He said on average, they only put out 24 structural fires per year, which is an extremely low number.

“Most of the fires we see are caused by careless and reckless behavior and by using unauthorized heating sources in an effort to stay warm. The primary problem is unattended cooking and candles,” Cobb said.

The department visited every commercial building in the city last year to conduct safety inspections and gather data on building to conduct a risk analysis and know where and what those possible risks are.

Cobb said these duties provide for a safer Madison.

For more information on these services and classes, contact the fire department at (256) 772-3326.

Also on The Madison Record
Madison Senior Center welcomes stray rooster and names him ‘Cluck Norris’
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Say hello to ‘Cluck Norris’
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – Madison Senior Center loves to welcome new members. However, they never expected to welcome a recent addition to their flock. In September, ...
Main Street Madison puts public input into plans for downtown development
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - Exciting times are ahead for downtown Madison thanks to a newly formed organization. Main Street Madison presented preliminary plans for dow...
‘Celebrate Madison’ to channel community spirit, pride
A: Main, Events, Madison County Record, ...
The free event will be held Oct. 23 at Toyota Field
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – The atmosphere at “Celebrate Madison” promises an upbeat night as residents give/take a good dose of pat-onthe- back praise. On Oct. 23, Cel...
Madison Witches Ride to return for downtown antics on Oct. 19
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – In a fun ride, roll and stroll, the Madison Witches Ride will feature festive local witches of all sorts spreading Halloween cheer & throwin...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker brings tour to Blue Apple Books on Oct. 21
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Gregg Parker 
October 15, 2025
MADISON – Among October activities at Blue Apple Books, author Jen Hatmaker’s visit is set for Oct. 21. Hatmaker’s memoir, “Awake,” was released in Se...
Vote now for Madison’s first “Pup Mayor” election
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Staff Reports 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - The nominations are in and the candidate pool for Madison’s first “Pup Mayor” election are available for voting. The newly formed Main Stree...
Tootsie Roll 5K and Fun Run returns Nov. 1
Madison County Record, News, Schools, ...
Proceeds benefit the special education program at Madison City Schools
By JOHN PECK MCS Public Relations Manager 
October 15, 2025
MADISON - Hey all you runners and walkers out there. The Tootsie Roll 5K and 1-mile Fun Run is about to roll again in Madison. Sign up now for the Nov...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *