Milwaukee Fire Department celebrates 150th anniversary

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The city of Milwaukee recognized a special day for its fire department. The Milwaukee Fire Department celebrated in 150th anniversary on Wednesday, Jan. 1. 

Having been established on Jan. 1, 1875, the Milwaukee Fire Department has been protecting the lives and properties of the city of 150 years. 

Through the course of history, Chief Aaron Lipski credits one asset in particular for keeping our city and those who live here safe. 

"The most important thing MFD has in its arsenal are the people," said Chief Lipski. "The firefighters and paramedics. it's the people and it will always be the people.

Milwaukee has Wisconsin's largest fire department, with its volunteer department becoming a paid department in 1875, operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Even during times of war, times of depression, times of civil unrest, and the labor strikes of the 1970s," said Chief Lipski.

"The fire department has been an instrument of insuring we have great public safety over the last 150 years. As mayor it's my privilege this is a stronger and safer and more prosperous city -- safety is key to that and MFD plays a huge role in making that happen," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. 

Mayor Johnson used the occasion to issue the city's first proclamation of the year. Citywide, Milwaukee plans to recognize the anniversary all year along.

"We're going to have a whole bunch of community-centric events...We'll be working with charitable organizations; we'll probably have a lot of food involved." said Johnson.

And to celebrate the milestone, MFD curated a time capsule and revealed a 150th anniversary logo special for the new year.