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Committee hears alarm on aging fire engines and ladder trucks as department requests $30.4 million; mayor proposes $2 million
Summary
Milwaukee Fire Department leadership told the Public Safety and Health Committee that a large portion of the city's engine and ladder-truck fleet exceeds National Fire Protection Association recommended service life, and that the department's 2026 equipment request ($30.4 million) greatly exceeds the mayor's proposed $2 million allocation. The
Milwaukee Fire Department leaders told the Public Safety and Health Committee on Oct. 23 that the city—s fire engine and ladder-truck fleet has aged beyond recommended service life levels and that modest annual capital allocations will not stop the department from falling further behind replacement needs.
Alderman Michael Bergales opened the discussion (file 251100) by noting the department—s 2026 equipment request of $30.4 million and the mayor—s proposed allocation of $2 million. "When I first saw that, I thought it was a typo," Bergales said, describing the fleet as an essential, basic city service.
Chief (Milwaukee Fire Department) told the committee the fleet is in dire condition. He reported the department has 43 fire engines (31 assigned to…
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