Blooming Grove Firefighters Association Alumni

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

05/27/2026

Village of Maple Bluff Residents and Friends,

It is with great gratitude, excitement, and a deep sense of responsibility that I share the news of my appointment to Fire Chief/EMS Director for the Village of Maple Bluff. Having served the past two years as Assistant Fire Chief, I am truly honored to continue my service to this exceptional community in this new capacity.

During my time with the Maple Bluff Fire Department, I have had the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary team of first responders and Village staff whose dedication, compassion, and professionalism consistently inspire me. Their support, shared vision, and collaborative spirit have shaped me into the leader I am today. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and am eager to build on that strong foundation.

Maple Bluff is special. There’s a genuine sense of community here, residents care deeply for one another, and their trust in the Fire and EMS services is something we do not take lightly. As Fire Chief/EMS Director, I am committed to honoring that trust through transparency, preparedness, and a continued focus on excellence in service. My goal is to preserve the traditions that make the MBFD unique while seeking new opportunities for growth, training, and innovation.

I look forward to continuing to serve this community alongside the remarkable team of the Maple Bluff Fire Department. Together, we will ensure that Maple Bluff remains a safe, resilient, and welcoming place for all who call it home.

Thank you for this incredible opportunity and your ongoing support. I am proud to serve you, and I look forward to the work ahead.

Ethan Nelson
Fire Chief/EMS Director

05/22/2026

The Monona Fire Department Association is proud to congratulate Megan Oeftger as the recipient of this year's Gary Clark Memorial Scholarship.

This scholarship honors the legacy of Gary Clark, a dedicated Monona firefighter/EMT who served our community for 35 years with compassion, professionalism, and commitment to helping others.

Megan’s dedication to community service, academic achievement, and her pursuit of a career in emergency services and healthcare make her a deserving recipient of this award. We are excited to see all she will accomplish in the fire and EMS profession.

Congratulations, Megan!

05/21/2026

Fun fact: Our ambulances traveled 331,058 miles last year – enough miles for more than 13 trips around the equator or enough for a trip to the moon (with 92,000 miles left to spare). Since going into service 5 months ago, new Medic 2 has already clocked nearly 20,000 miles!

Maybe we should name the next ambulance "Artemis." 🚀

05/20/2026

We’re saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Marv Birnbaum, Medical Director Emeritus for MFD (pictured center, seated).

Dr. Birnbaum served as MFD’s Medical Director for 30 years—our second and longest-serving Medical Director. He was a pioneer in developing the University of Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services program that led to the high standard of pre-hospital care we continue to provide today. He was respected and admired by many for his nurturing presence as an educator, mentor, and expert in pre-hospital emergency medicine.

In 2022, we had the opportunity to recognize Dr. Birnbaum and formally thank him for his contributions. Here he is pictured with members of today's UW Hospital Division of Prehospital Medicine, including our current Medical Director, Dr. Megan Gussick.

Though Dr. Birnbaum has passed on, the impact of his work will be everlasting.

05/20/2026

05/19/2026