Welcome to the Milwaukee Fire Department
Chief Douglas A. Holton Announces Retirement From the Milwakee Fire Department
Chief Douglas A. Holton announced he will retire from the Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) after 32 years of firefighting service, effective Nov. 28, 2009.
Chief Holton joined the MFD January 9, 1978. He successfully advanced through the ranks of the Milwaukee Fire Department over a 25-year period, serving as Deputy Chief of Fire Operations, Deputy Chief of Instruction and Training, Deputy Chief of Construction and Maintenance, Battalion Chief, Captain, Lieutenant, and Firefighter.
In 2003, Chief Holton left the Milwaukee Fire Department to become the first African-American chief of the St. Paul Fire Department. After a successful three-year stint in St. Paul, Chief Holton returned to the City of Milwaukee, where he was sworn in as the first African-American chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department on June 4, 2007. Please click here to read more.
The Milwaukee Fire Department Kicks Off Annual Pink T-Shirt Fundraiser for Susan G. Komen
The Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) kicked off the annual pink t-shirt fundraiser for the Susan G. Komen Milwaukee affiliate October 1. The department joins the fight against breast cancer for the second consecutive year, and is selling pink t-shirts with the traditional MFD logo on the front, and “Fire & Rescue” on the back. The t-shirts will be sold only in the month of October in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness month. All net proceeds will go to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Milwaukee affiliate, and last year the department raised $27, 256. All MFD members and the public can purchase the t-shirts now to help the local Komen affiliate fund breast health education, breast cancer screenings, and treatment programs. To find out where to purchase t-shirts please click here.
MONTHLY MESSAGE FROM MFD FIRE CHIEF DOUGLAS A. HOLTON
Fire-Safe Students
Classes are back in session and school is underway! During this school year, remember to stay fire safe and don’t overlook some very important fire prevention and safety tips. Whether you’re a college student who stays in a dorm or off-campus, there are some basic survival tips you need to know and follow.
Most dormitory and off-campus fires involve cooking equipment. In a three-year time span—2003-2006—departments across the nation responded to approximately 3,570 structure fires in dormitories, fraternities, sororities and barracks. The fires caused an annual average of 7 fire fatalities and 54 injuries. Please don’t be a statistic and take heed to the vital information below:
• If you smoke, always smoke outside where it is permitted and never in bed or when you have consumed alcohol or are drowsy
• Burn candles only if it is permitted and an open flame should be placed away from anything that can burn and never leave it unattended
• If you search for housing off-campus make sure you chose a place that has an indoor sprinkler system
• Make sure your dormitory or apartment has smoke alarms inside each bedroom, outside every sleeping area and on each level
• Test all smoke alarms monthly
• Learn the building’s evacuation plan in the event of an emergency
• Never leave food unattended while cooking
• Cook only when you are alert and sober
• Use a surge protector for your computer and other appliances and plug the protector directly into an outlet
• Check the school’s polices before using electrical appliances in your room
Sincerely,
Douglas A. Holton
RELATED LINKS:
American Heart Association ~ American Lung Association ~ Safe Kids ~ National Fire Protection Association
City of Milwaukee Office of Homeland Security ~ Mesothelioma Prognosis