Madison Fire Department plans to expand

The Madison Fire Department is looking to expand its station that houses the Madison County Fire Protection District, Madison County EMS and the city of Rexburg Fire Department for $1.5 million.

Fire Chief Corey Child says the Madison Fire Department is planning to achieve the expansion without taxpayer dollars.

“We’re going after Urban Renewal money, community development block grants and money that’s already in the bank from the fire district,” said Child.

The current building was built in 1977, but was expanded in 2000 to include EMS services. In 2000 the Madison Fire Department received about 1,300 calls a year.

“Now fast forward to 2013, we’re doing about 2,300 calls a year, with 80 employees compared to 50 employees in the year 2000,” said Child.

The population of Madison County jumped more than 10,000 between 2000 and 2010.

“Obviously, with population increase our calls and numbers increase as far as calls with both EMS, the ambulance side of things, as well as the fire side of things,” said Child.

Child said the expansion would increase kitchen, bedroom and office space. The department is spread so thin on living space people sleep in recliners most nights.

“That’s embarrassing to admit, but thus our motivation to get a second story on this building,” said Child. “We can better accommodate in the way of bedrooms.”