Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski took a local television station around the city's repair shops, bringing to light the fact that multiple fire apparatus is out of service and in need of repairs.
"For every one of my major vehicle types for emergency response, I have one extra that I can actually put somebody into right now if something happens," Lipski told WISN.com.
The city has fallen behind on their annual replacement plan to purchase new fire apparatus and cycle older rigs through the department.
Lipski said they need $27 million to replace rigs, but Mayor Cavalier Johnson has only allotted $2 million for fire trucks in the proposed 2026 budget. That's not even enough for two new rigs.
"If we're not given the funding, we, I mean, we, we can't just go out and buy on goodwill and hopes and wishes," said Lipski.
Trying to meet the National Fire Protection Association standards of replacing front-line apparatus, Lipski said the city is getting close to a "doomsday scenario."
Five of the city's rigs are 17 years old, one ladder truck has been in service for 21 years and many other apparatus are nearing that 15-year mark.
"Sadly...at some point I'll be shutting engine companies or ladder companies down, because I simply will not have an apparatus to put them into," Lipski said.
