Firefighters put heat on Mayor Barrett to stop 6 station closures

MILWAUKEE -- Firefighters from across the state of Wisconsin delivered a strong message to Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett.

They chanted, "No cuts! Save lives!"

They were shouting right at the entrance to City Hall, under Barrett's office.

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Milwaukee's Professional Fire Fighters Association members along with three aldermen that including Bob Donovan want you to hear their words of warning.

"More Milwaukeeans will die in fires!" said Donovan.

The cities 2018 budget has forced hard decisions. The city of Milwaukee is set to close six fire stations as part of its 2018 budget resource allocation plan.

The following stations will be closed:

• Fire Station 3, 100 W. Virginia St. (Will be used by MFD construction and maintenance)
• Fire Station 5, 1313 W. Reservoir Ave. (Will be used as the MFD wellness center)
• Fire Station 6, 1693 N. Franklin Pl. (Will be used as the MFD community relations and education office)
• Fire Station 25, 300 S. 84th St.
• Fire Station 28, 424 N. 30th St.
• Fire Station 31, 2400 S. 8th St.

The following four engine companies will be decommissioned, or taken out of service:

• Engine Company 6, 1693 N. Franklin Pl.
• Engine Company 25, 300 S. 84th St.
• Engine Company 28, 424 N. 30th St.
• Engine Company 30, 2400 S. 8th St.

The following four truck companies will also be decommissioned:

• Truck Company 6 2526 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
• Truck Company 12, 2903 N. Teutonia Ave.
• Truck Company 15, 5335 N. Teutonia Ave.
• Truck Company 17, 5600 W. Oklahoma Ave.

The reductions in stations and companies will not result in layoffs, according to the city of Milwaukee. Instead, 75 department vacancies will not be filled.

The mayor believes the union is firing their anger in the wrong direction.

"We need relief from Madison," Barrett said, "...to allow us to have a local sales tax that would be approved by our local residents."

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"He [Barrett] thinks the state is going to give a half a percent sales tax so he can waste more money?" said Ald. Tony Zielinski, Bay View.

Zielinski believes the money is being wasted is on the Milwaukee streetcar.

"Can the streetcar respond to calls for service?" Zielinski said to the crowd of firefighters. The crowd responded, "No!"

Barrett said the streetcar project will continue.