Future of Milwaukee Fire Department to be decided this week
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The future of the Milwaukee Fire Department will be decided this week.
The Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission (FPC) will consider and vote on reappointing Chief Aaron Lipski this Thursday, April 16.
Serving as Milwaukee fire chief for four years, Chief Lipski says there is more work to be done and he’s the man for the job.
“I’d like to do it,” said Chief Lipski.
Moving forward, Chief Lipski says he will continue to focus on the reinvestment needs within the department, including personnel, infrastructure and equipment.
“We are nowhere near where we need to be for a city our size, with our call volume and the population density," said Chief Lipski. "We are nowhere near where we need to be.”
During his first contract, Chief Lipski says he was able to reopen three stations and add additional paramedic units.
“We’re better than we were two years ago and three years ago, but we have a lot of recovery to do here," said Chief Lipski. "So, we do need to add personnel back. I have numerous stations sitting empty right now. They don’t have any response personnel responding.”
The department's aging fleet is an ongoing issue the chief continues to advocate for and wont shy away from.
Just this month, the department received three new fire engines ordered back in 2024.
“The needs don’t change because the resources aren’t available, and that’s something that we’ve had trouble communicating over many years, because there isn’t a money tree to shake to just pay for everything anybody could ever desire,” Chief Lipski said.
A public meeting was held Monday night, and after the chief's presentation, several residents and city leaders spoke, sharing their support for his reinstatement.
The FPC will consider and vote on reappointing Chief Lipski at their upcoming meeting this Thursday.