New firefighters sworn in

By Staff
The city of Madison has 10 new firefighters who will work at the Madison Fire and Rescue Department.
At the Monday night meeting of the Madison City Council, 10 new firefighters were officially sworn in. They are Kevin Bailey, Joshua Bradley, Jonathan Chapman, Jake Lee, Melvin Malone, Jonathan Martin, Chris Matkin, Pete Mehok, Eddie Richardson, and Jason Tidwell.
Madison Fire Chief Ralph Cobb said the men underwent an eight-step agility test. The test included a step mill where the men carried a 75 pound vest on their backs, dragging a fire hose more than 200 feet, a ladder raise, saw carry, a sledge hammer drill, crawling through a maize, a 185 pound dummy drag, and a pipe pole simulation.
"We welcome these men on board the Madison Fire Department," Cobb said. "The agility test was very tough. We started out with 170 applicants and that quickly dropped down to 22 who actually passed the test."
The firefighters will work at the city's two existing fire stations and at Fire Station 3, which is under construction on County Line Road.