After 72 years of putting out fires, responding to crashes and helping out in medical emergencies, the largely volunteer-run town of Madison Fire Department flickers out Sunday.
The city of Madison Fire Department officially takes over fire protection responsibilities for town residents at midnight on Sunday in preparation for the eventual dissolution of the town of Madison in two years.
"It's kind of highs and lows depending on the day," town of Madison Fire Chief David Bloom said Saturday. "You hate to see the station get closed up and you don't want people to not have jobs or have a volunteer opportunity that they love."
The department has six full-time employees, four interns who live at the station on Fish Hatchery Road and about 15 volunteers, he said.
Three full-timers are transferring to the city of Madison Fire Department, and the other three are retiring, including the 72-year-old Bloom, who said he bought a new fishing pole in anticipation of the free time.