Milwaukee fire chief emphasizes need for funding as last reserve ladder truck breaks down during call
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Fire Department's call for more funding was highlighted on the side of a busy street Monday, Oct. 27.
Monday afternoon, a wheel fell off a ladder truck as the crew was responding to a call.
Fire Chief Aaron Lipski says it's a symptom of a bigger problem.
As we've previously reported, nearly half of MFD's frontline fleet is over the recommended lifespan and need to be replaced.
On top of that, Monday's breakdown impacted the department's last reserve ladder truck. And as Chief Lipski explains, that highlights how this larger funding issue is already impacting public safety.
"I have no ladder trucks available in the city of Milwaukee to put that company into, and so I run into a problem with this now because between where we're standing and Lake Michigan, I don't have an aerial ladder," Lipski said.
In his 2026 budget proposal, the mayor allocates $2 million to replace MFD's equipment. The fire department says they need millions more.