'Designing tragedy: Milwaukee's Fire Chief raises alarm about department's aging vehicles

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Fire Department (MFD) is sounding the alarm about its emergency vehicles. The department says it needs nearly $30 million to replace its outdated and damaged trucks. 

Before these trucks hit the streets, they’ve got to pass a test, except the Milwaukee Fire Department’s emergency vehicles are barely making the cut.

“The front line rigs themselves are pushing against age limits,” said MFD Chief Aaron Lipski. “We have not been funded in a very long time.”

Lipski says most engines and trucks should be replaced after 15 years.

“The problem comes in when we’re not replacing these on a coherent replacement cycle,” said Lipski. 

Right now, eight out of the department’s 31 frontline engines are at least 15 years old. Every single reserve engine is at least 17 years old.

“Yeah, that strikes fear into your heart when you’re attempting to project rescue potential,” said Lipski. 

Replacing these vehicles could cost upwards of $27 million dollars. In a statement to CBS 58, Mayor Cavalier Johnson’s office said, in part, “we face continuing challenges to balance all the competing demands for capital funding with the very limited resources available.”

The Milwaukee Fire Department says ten emergency vehicles need to be replaced immediately, including 13 reserve engines, seven reserve ladder trucks, and ten paramedic units. Even if that funding is approved, the department won’t see those vehicles until 2027 the earliest.

“You’re designing tragedy. That’s what you’re doing,” said Lipski.

Chief Lipski says to keep Milwaukee safe, the fire department needs safe vehicles to operate.

“Either providing fire protection is important or it's not,” said Lipski.