Milwaukee firefighters' union urges mayor to approve $8M to replace aging fire trucks as safety concerns mount

MILWUAKEE — Milwaukee's Fire Department is confronting a critical safety issue as its fleet of fire engines, ladder trucks, and rescue vehicles ages past national safety recommendations, prompting city officials to consider an $8 million budget amendment for replacements.

Much of the city's fleet is aging past 15 years, exceeding national safety recommendations and creating dangerous situations for both firefighters and residents.

On Sunday, one truck went out of service due to a mechanical issue, leaving the Milwaukee Fire Department with just eight trucks across the entire city.

"Everything," said Eric Daun, president of the Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association, when asked what equipment the department needs to update.

The department often relies on shared resources from n