Inside the department’s repair garage, Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski stood beside a battered fire engine that had been struck during a call this summer. Around him were other trucks sidelined for repairs or inspections. He explained that for every kind of emergency rig (engines, ladders, and rescue units) he has just one backup that can still be put into service. Everything else is stretched thin, outdated, or barely passing inspection.

That’s the backdrop to a growing crisis.

The city’s proposed 2026 budget sets aside just $2 million for vehicle replacements and repairs

The fire department says the real need is closer to $27 million over the next two years to meet national safety standards.

Lipski told local officials that three of Milwaukee’s ladder trucks recently failed their UL Solutions safety testing. That checks the strength and reliability of aerial devices that lift firefighters several stories into the air.

He warned that losing another truck could trigger what he called a “doomsday scenario.” In it, certain parts of the city might not have an operational ladder company available.

By national standards, Milwaukee’s fleet is far past its expiration date

The National Fire Protection Association recommends retiring front-line fire engines and ladders after 15 years.

Milwaukee already has three engines at that limit and five that are 17 years old. One of its ladder trucks has been in service for 21 years.

Lipski said the city has failed to keep up with its replacement plan for more than a decade. He cautioned that without a major increase in funding, he could eventually have to take fire companies out of service. Not for lack of firefighters, but because there wouldn’t be enough safe trucks left to send out.

City officials admit they’re boxed in

Budget and Management Director Nik Kovac said $2 million is the most they can allocate under current constraints.

Borrowing more money could help, but it might also mean paying off loans for the next 15 years. 

Alderman Peter Burgelis said he plans to push for an amendment to increase the fire department’s funding or seek borrowing to fill the gap.

The scale of Milwaukee’s equipment deficit becomes clearer when you consider modern costs

A new pumper engine can run anywhere from $300,000 to over $1 million. A ladder truck can easily exceed $1.5 million, according to The Hustle.

These vehicles also demand constant care. Departments perform annual UL and NFPA inspections, ladder load tests, hydraulic checks, and weld integrity evaluations.

Engines need regular oil and transmission servicing, while older rigs often face corrosion, pump leaks, or structural fatigue.

Fire Apparatus Magazine notes that keeping a worn-out truck running can ultimately cost more than replacing it outright.

Most communities can’t write a check that big, so they rely on lease-purchase agreements, municipal loans, or long-term bonds. These tools let departments acquire trucks immediately and pay over time, often with low interest rates available to public agencies.

But even with financing, it’s a heavy lift. In Milwaukee, the math has caught up. Unless the city finds a way to close the funding gap soon, the trucks that carry its firefighters into danger may themselves become too dangerous to drive.