Atchison Stepping Down as Fire Chief

Madison Fire Chief Doug Atchison has stepped down and Captain Lou DeRosa will be taking over beginning Wednesday, though at first in an acting role.

Atchison's resignation was announced at Monday's Borough Council meeting.

Atchison said a confluence of things came up that made it the time for him to step down. Atchison, who had come up through the ranks of the department starting as a volunteer in the beginning of his tenure, had his mother recently pass away.

DeRosa, Atchison's replacement, will not be an unfamiliar one to the department, and he certainly is no stranger to the departing Atchison.

"He's been my right hand man for 19 years," Atchison said.

DeRosa said that he was named captain about the same time Atchison was named chief.

The council passed a resolution naming DeRosa acting fire chief. He will take over in the official role of chief on July 31.