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Coordinates: 43°02′23″N 87°55′15″W / 43.03984300°N 87.92073200°W / 43.03984300; -87.92073200
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{{Primary sources|date=October 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox fire department
{{Infobox fire department
| name = Milwaukee Fire Department
| name = Milwaukee Fire Department
| logo = MalCross MFD (400 5x5).jpg
| logo = Milwaukee Fire Department Patch.png
| motto =
| motto = Courage, Integrity and Honor
<!-- Operational area -->
<!-- Operational area -->
| country = {{USA}}
| country = United States
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Wisconsin}}
| subdivision_name1 = [[Wisconsin]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of cities in Wisconsin|City]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[List of cities in Wisconsin|City]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Milwaukee]]
| address =
| address = 711 West Wells Street
| coordinates = {{Coord|43.03984300|-87.92073200|region:US-WI|display=inline,title}}<ref>{{Google maps|url=https://maps.google.com/?cid=14462563754497709814 |title=Milwaukee Fire Department |access-date=28 May 2021}}</ref>
| coordinates =
<!-- Agency overview -->
<!-- Agency overview -->
| reference1 =
| reference1 =
Line 16: Line 19:
| annual calls = 93,029 {{small|(2019)}}
| annual calls = 93,029 {{small|(2019)}}
| annual budget = $116,333,388 {{small|(2019)}}
| annual budget = $116,333,388 {{small|(2019)}}
| employees = 871{{small|(2019)}}
| employees = 871 {{small|(2019)}}
| staffing = Career
| staffing = Career
| chief = Aaron Lipski, Acting Chief
| chief = Aaron Lipski
| ALSorBLS = [[advanced life support|ALS]] and [[basic life support|BLS]]
| ALSorBLS = [[advanced life support|ALS]] and [[basic life support|BLS]]
| iaff = 215
| iaff = 215
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| rescues = 2
| rescues = 2
| ambulances = 12
| ambulances = 12
| tenders = 1
| hazmat = 2
| hazmat = 2
| usar = 1
| usar = 1
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| fireboats = 1
| fireboats = 1
<!-- Footer -->
<!-- Footer -->
| website = {{Official website|http://city.milwaukee.gov/MFD}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
| iaffweb = {{url|http://www.local215.com|IAFF website}}
| iaffweb = {{url|http://www.local215.com|IAFF website}}
}}
}}
[[File:Milwaukee July 2023 055 (Milwaukee Fire Department Headquarters).jpg|thumb|Milwaukee Fire Department Headquarters]]
[[File:Milwaukee Fire Station 9.jpg|thumb|right|Milwaukee Fire Station 9, located at 4141 West Mill Road, houses Engine 9 and Med 4.]]
[[File:Milwaukee August 2024 031 (Milwaukee Fire Department Construction and Maintenance Division).jpg|thumb|Milwaukee Fire Department Construction and Maintenance Division]]


The '''Milwaukee Fire Department''' provides [[fire protection]] and [[emergency medical services]] to the city of [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]. The department is responsible for an area of {{convert|96.12|sqmi|sqkm}} with a population of 594,833. The department was ranked third in the U.S. for best medical emergency service by a ''[[USA Today]]'' study in 2003.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Rohde|first1=Marie|title=Glendale estimates savings in fire service switch|url=http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/29270189.html|access-date=29 May 2015|agency=[[Milwaukee Journal Sentinel]]|date=7 March 2007}}</ref>
The '''Milwaukee Fire Department''' provides [[fire protection]] and [[emergency medical services]] to the city of [[Milwaukee]], [[Wisconsin]]. The department is responsible for an area of {{convert|96.12|sqmi|sqkm}} with a population of 594,833. It is the largest fire department in the State of Wisconsin.


== History ==
== History ==
A volunteer fire department served Milwaukee from 1837 until 1875 when the Milwaukee Fire Department was officially established.<ref>{{cite web |title=Milwaukee Fire Department |url=https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/milwaukee-fire-department/ |website=Encyclopedia of Milwaukee |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref> The department was comprised of names that resonate with Milwaukee’s history: [[Solomon Juneau]], Dousman, Auer, Ludington, [[Elisha W. Edgerton]] and Mitchell, to name a few.
Milwaukee’s fire department began as a volunteer effort in 1837 with the creation of the village of Milwaukee. The first company, Hook and Ladder No. 1, included [[Alexander Mitchell (Wisconsin politician)|Alexander Mitchell]]. By 1859, there were some eleven volunteer firefighting companies in the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=HISTORIC DESIGNATION STUDY REPORT MILWAUKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREHOUSE LADDER COMPANY NO. 5 |url=https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/cityHPC/DesignatedReports/vticnf/Firehouse5.pdf |website=City of Milwaukee |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref> In 1875, the Milwaukee Fire Department was officially established and the full-time career department was formed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Milwaukee Fire Department |url=https://emke.uwm.edu/entry/milwaukee-fire-department/ |website=Encyclopedia of Milwaukee |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref> The department included individuals that resonate with Milwaukee’s history: [[Solomon Juneau]], Dousman, Auer, Ludington and [[Elisha W. Edgerton]] to name a few.

In 1885, the department boasted a total work force of 119 men, ten steam engines and two chemical engines.

The [[Newhall House Hotel Fire]] is the deadliest fire in Milwaukee's history on January 10, 1883. A porter discovered the fire at about 3 a.m. when the elevator he was in began to fill with smoke.<ref>{{cite news |title=New Book Shines Light On Overshadowed Milwaukee Hotel Fire |url=https://www.wpr.org/new-book-shines-light-overshadowed-milwaukee-hotel-fire |access-date=10 April 2021 |publisher=Wisconsin Public Radio |date=March 12, 2019}}</ref> At least 70 people perished in the fire. On April 9, 1894, a fire broke out in the Davidson Theater that killed nine firemen and injured fifteen.

In 1931, the [[Milwaukee Fire Department High Pressure Pumping Station]] was built to replace the function of Fireboat No. 17, which was located in an area of heavy industry and where streets, railway tracks, bridges and the [[Kinnickinnic River (Milwaukee River tributary)|Kinnickinnic River]] crossed multiple times. The station closed in 1950 and the building would later operate as a brewpub from 2009 until 2015 when the property was listed for sale. The building was demolished in 2018.

Debra Pross was hired as the first female firefighter in Milwaukee's history in 1983.

In January 2020, Milwaukee firefighters Jeff Lang and Craig Parello joined [[Team Rubicon]] co-founders William McNulty and [[Jake Wood (veteran)|Jacob Wood]] to lead a medical team into Port-au-Prince three days after the [[2010 Haiti earthquake|Haiti earthquake]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Craig Parello's 'life changing' trip to Haiti |url=https://catholicherald.org/local/craig-parellos-life-changing-trip-to-haiti |access-date=2 May 2021 |publisher=The Catholic Herald |date=February 18, 2010}}</ref> The four men wore uniforms consisting of military BDU pants and navy blue Milwaukee Fire Department shirts in an effort to convey some semblance of being official.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Birth of Team Rubicon's Grey Shirt |url=https://teamrubiconusa.org/blog/the-birth-of-team-rubicons-greyshirt/ |website=Team Rubicon |access-date=2 May 2021}}</ref>
⚫
In November 2018, for the first time ever in the department's history, an all-female crew responded to emergency calls.<ref>{{cite news |title=Making history: Milwaukee's first all-female firefighter crew |url=https://www.cbs58.com/news/making-history-milwaukee-s-first-all-female-firefighter-crew |access-date=10 April 2021 |publisher=CBS 58 |date=November 21, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tanzilo |first1=Bobby |title=Meet Milwaukee's first-ever all-woman fire department crew |url=https://onmilwaukee.com/articles/mfd-all-woman-crew |access-date=10 April 2021 |publisher=OnMilwaukee |date=November 21, 2018}}</ref> In December 2019, Sharon Purifoy became the first African American female deputy chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department.<ref>{{cite news |title=MFD celebrates first African American female deputy chief |url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/mfd-celebrates-first-african-american-female-deputy-chief |access-date=10 April 2021 |publisher=FOX6 News |date=December 18, 2020}}</ref>

== Survive Alive House ==
The Survive Alive House is a building located on Milwaukee's south side that teaches fire safety to children. It is a joint endeavor with the Milwaukee Fire Department and [[Milwaukee Public Schools]]. Since opening in 1992, over 450,000 students have visited.<ref>{{cite news |title=Milwaukee Fire Department unveils new mobile 'Survive Alive' house |url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/means-the-world-milwaukee-fire-department-unveils-new-mobile-survive-alive-house |access-date=19 April 2021 |publisher=FOX6 News |date=April 4, 2019}}</ref>
The building opened in 1992<ref>{{cite news |title=Survive Alive House |url=https://urbanmilwaukee.com/building/survive-alive-house/ |access-date=19 April 2021 |publisher=Urban Milwaukee}}</ref> and is designed to teach second though fifth grade students in Milwaukee [[fire safety]] and [[fire prevention]] techniques.
In April 2019, the Milwaukee Fire Department rolled out a mobile Survive Alive House.<ref>{{cite news |title=Milwaukee Fire Department unveils new mobile 'Survive Alive' house |url=https://www.fox6now.com/news/means-the-world-milwaukee-fire-department-unveils-new-mobile-survive-alive-house |access-date=19 April 2021 |publisher=FOX6 News |date=April 4, 2019}}</ref> The RV was built by REV Recreation Group and features two bedroom-style classrooms with smoke evacuation training.


==Stations and apparatus==
==Stations and apparatus==
As of April 2021, the Milwaukee Fire Department operates out of 29 fire stations. Fire Boat 1 is a 2007 36' fire boat built by Metal Craft Marine. It is docked at the [[Discovery World]] Pier at Milwaukee Harbor.
As of April 2021, the Milwaukee Fire Department operates out of 29 fire stations,<ref>{{cite web |title=City of Milwaukee Fire Stations |url=https://city.milwaukee.gov/MFD/Bureaus/FirefightingDivision/LocateFirehouse |website=Milwaukee Fire Department |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref> with 28 being in the City of Milwaukee and one being located in the [[West Milwaukee, Wisconsin|Village of West Milwaukee]]. A [[fire engine]] is housed at each station as well as several other firefighting apparatus including ladder trucks and heavy rescues. A [[Fireboats of Milwaukee|fire boat]] is docked at the [[Discovery World]] Pier at Milwaukee Harbor.
The department also operates 12 ambulances which provided [[Advanced life support]] and [[Basic life support]] services. The City of Milwaukee contracts with Bell Ambulance and Curtis Ambulance to provide additional emergency medical services throughout the city.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ambulance Service Board Meeting Minutes |url=https://milwaukee.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=575207&GUID=B4187721-1D0A-4B33-B7E9-A0AFE9F4F93C&Options=&Search= |website=City of Milwaukee |access-date=10 April 2021}}</ref>
In 2019, the busiest fire station was Station 30, located at North Teutonia Avenue and East Locust Street.
In 2019, the busiest fire station was Station 30, located at North Teutonia Avenue and East Locust Street.<ref>{{cite web |title=2019 Annual Report |url=https://city.milwaukee.gov/ImageLibrary/Groups/mfdAuthors/media/Annual-Reports/2019AnnualReport.pdf |website=Milwaukee Fire Department}}</ref>
⚫
A number of closed fire stations are occupied for other uses. The not-for-profit Milwaukee Fire Bell Club operates out of the shuttered Fire Station 25 and the fire department's Community Relations Division is located in the former Fire Station 28 in the city's Brady Street neighborhood.
⚫
A number of closed fire stations are occupied for other uses. The not-for-profit Milwaukee Fire Bell Club operates out of the shuttered Fire Station 25 and the fire department's Community Relations Division is located in the former Fire Station 6 in the city's Brady Street neighborhood.


==Public works of art==
== See also ==
* [[Fireboats of Milwaukee]]
Several stations feature commissioned works of art, including:
*''[[The Last Alarm (sculpture)|The Last Alarm]]''
*''[[Dauntless Guardian]]''
*''[[Fire and Water (sculpture)|Fire and Water]]''
*''[[Spirit of the Firefighter]]''
*''[[On Watch]]''
*''[[Gear 23]]''
*''[[R. HERO (sculpture) ]]''
*''[[MFD Coloring Book (print) By Reginald Baylor]]''


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


== External links ==
* {{official website}}

⚫
{{United States fire departments}}
{{Milwaukee}}
{{Milwaukee}}
⚫
{{Wisconsin fire departments}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Fire departments in Wisconsin]]
{{Coord|43|3|0|N|87|57|0|W|display=title}}
⚫
[[Category:Government of Milwaukee|Fire Department]]
[[Category:Government of Milwaukee|Fire Department]]

Latest revision as of 03:54, 16 October 2024

Milwaukee Fire Department
Operational area
CountryUnited States
StateWisconsin
CityMilwaukee
Address711 West Wells Street
Coordinates43°02′23″N 87°55′15″W / 43.03984300°N 87.92073200°W / 43.03984300; -87.92073200[1]
Agency overview
Established1875
Annual calls93,029 (2019)
Employees871 (2019)
Annual budget$116,333,388 (2019)
StaffingCareer
Fire chiefAaron Lipski
EMS levelALS and BLS
IAFF215
MottoCourage, Integrity and Honor
Facilities and equipment
Battalions6
Stations29
Engines29
Trucks8
Rescues2
Ambulances12
HAZMAT2
USAR1
Fireboats1
Website
city.milwaukee.gov/MFD Edit this at Wikidata
IAFF website
Milwaukee Fire Department Headquarters
Milwaukee Fire Station 9, located at 4141 West Mill Road, houses Engine 9 and Med 4.
Milwaukee Fire Department Construction and Maintenance Division

The Milwaukee Fire Department provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The department is responsible for an area of 96.12 square miles (248.9 km2) with a population of 594,833. It is the largest fire department in the State of Wisconsin.

History

[edit]

Milwaukee’s fire department began as a volunteer effort in 1837 with the creation of the village of Milwaukee. The first company, Hook and Ladder No. 1, included Alexander Mitchell. By 1859, there were some eleven volunteer firefighting companies in the city.[2] In 1875, the Milwaukee Fire Department was officially established and the full-time career department was formed.[3] The department included individuals that resonate with Milwaukee’s history: Solomon Juneau, Dousman, Auer, Ludington and Elisha W. Edgerton to name a few.

In 1885, the department boasted a total work force of 119 men, ten steam engines and two chemical engines.

The Newhall House Hotel Fire is the deadliest fire in Milwaukee's history on January 10, 1883. A porter discovered the fire at about 3 a.m. when the elevator he was in began to fill with smoke.[4] At least 70 people perished in the fire. On April 9, 1894, a fire broke out in the Davidson Theater that killed nine firemen and injured fifteen.

In 1931, the Milwaukee Fire Department High Pressure Pumping Station was built to replace the function of Fireboat No. 17, which was located in an area of heavy industry and where streets, railway tracks, bridges and the Kinnickinnic River crossed multiple times. The station closed in 1950 and the building would later operate as a brewpub from 2009 until 2015 when the property was listed for sale. The building was demolished in 2018.

Debra Pross was hired as the first female firefighter in Milwaukee's history in 1983.

In January 2020, Milwaukee firefighters Jeff Lang and Craig Parello joined Team Rubicon co-founders William McNulty and Jacob Wood to lead a medical team into Port-au-Prince three days after the Haiti earthquake.[5] The four men wore uniforms consisting of military BDU pants and navy blue Milwaukee Fire Department shirts in an effort to convey some semblance of being official.[6]

In November 2018, for the first time ever in the department's history, an all-female crew responded to emergency calls.[7][8] In December 2019, Sharon Purifoy became the first African American female deputy chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department.[9]

Survive Alive House

[edit]

The Survive Alive House is a building located on Milwaukee's south side that teaches fire safety to children. It is a joint endeavor with the Milwaukee Fire Department and Milwaukee Public Schools. Since opening in 1992, over 450,000 students have visited.[10]

The building opened in 1992[11] and is designed to teach second though fifth grade students in Milwaukee fire safety and fire prevention techniques.

In April 2019, the Milwaukee Fire Department rolled out a mobile Survive Alive House.[12] The RV was built by REV Recreation Group and features two bedroom-style classrooms with smoke evacuation training.

Stations and apparatus

[edit]

As of April 2021, the Milwaukee Fire Department operates out of 29 fire stations,[13] with 28 being in the City of Milwaukee and one being located in the Village of West Milwaukee. A fire engine is housed at each station as well as several other firefighting apparatus including ladder trucks and heavy rescues. A fire boat is docked at the Discovery World Pier at Milwaukee Harbor.

The department also operates 12 ambulances which provided Advanced life support and Basic life support services. The City of Milwaukee contracts with Bell Ambulance and Curtis Ambulance to provide additional emergency medical services throughout the city.[14]

In 2019, the busiest fire station was Station 30, located at North Teutonia Avenue and East Locust Street.[15]

A number of closed fire stations are occupied for other uses. The not-for-profit Milwaukee Fire Bell Club operates out of the shuttered Fire Station 25 and the fire department's Community Relations Division is located in the former Fire Station 6 in the city's Brady Street neighborhood.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Milwaukee Fire Department" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  2. ^ "HISTORIC DESIGNATION STUDY REPORT MILWAUKEE FIRE DEPARTMENT FIREHOUSE LADDER COMPANY NO. 5" (PDF). City of Milwaukee. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  3. ^ "Milwaukee Fire Department". Encyclopedia of Milwaukee. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  4. ^ "New Book Shines Light On Overshadowed Milwaukee Hotel Fire". Wisconsin Public Radio. March 12, 2019. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  5. ^ "Craig Parello's 'life changing' trip to Haiti". The Catholic Herald. February 18, 2010. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "The Birth of Team Rubicon's Grey Shirt". Team Rubicon. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Making history: Milwaukee's first all-female firefighter crew". CBS 58. November 21, 2018. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  8. ^ Tanzilo, Bobby (November 21, 2018). "Meet Milwaukee's first-ever all-woman fire department crew". OnMilwaukee. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  9. ^ "MFD celebrates first African American female deputy chief". FOX6 News. December 18, 2020. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  10. ^ "Milwaukee Fire Department unveils new mobile 'Survive Alive' house". FOX6 News. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  11. ^ "Survive Alive House". Urban Milwaukee. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  12. ^ "Milwaukee Fire Department unveils new mobile 'Survive Alive' house". FOX6 News. April 4, 2019. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  13. ^ "City of Milwaukee Fire Stations". Milwaukee Fire Department. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  14. ^ "Ambulance Service Board Meeting Minutes". City of Milwaukee. Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  15. ^ "2019 Annual Report" (PDF). Milwaukee Fire Department.
[edit]
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