Established in 1881, The Madison Fire Department is a combination fire department utilizing both career and volunteer personnel. There are 14 career and 13 active volunteer firefighters. The department operates out of the Madison Public Safety Building located at the corner of Kings Road and Prospect Street.
About the Class 3 Fire Department
The department operates 3 engines, a 105-foot aerial ladder truck, a walk-in rescue vehicle, and a utility truck. Firefighters respond to over 1,200 incidents per year. These include EMS runs, alarm activations, motor vehicle accidents, hazardous materials incidents, natural gas leaks, pump outs, and carbon monoxide incidents. Career firefighters are New Jersey certified Emergency Medical Technicians. During the weekday, on-duty fire department personnel assist the Madison Ambulance Corps on medical calls. On-duty personnel also respond nights and weekends to medical calls when needed. The department also serves the area in Confined Space and Trench Collapse Rescue. Firefighters and apparatus respond to the scene of most incidents in town in under 3 minutes.
Insurance Service Office (ISO)
In 2014, the Madison Fire Department was reevaluated by the ISO. The ISO is a private rating service that analyzes risk for the property/casualty insurance industry. The ISO surveyed 668 fire agencies in New Jersey and analyzed equipment, staffing, training, communications, and water suppression systems. Ratings are assigned on a scale of 1 to 10, with Class 1 being the highest. The Madison Fire Department was one of only 78 departments in New Jersey to receive a Class 3 rating or better. Hoboken and Hackensack Fire Departments are the only Class 1 agencies in the Garden State.