MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett’s proposed 2018 budget calls for closing six fire stations. Three would remain in operation by the fire department, but for other purposes and may not be fully staffed. Four of the city’s ladder trucks would be decommissioned.
Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing said closing the stations will add between five and 25-seconds to response times, which currently average 2-minutes-50-seconds.
Barrett’s plan would also cut 75 firefighter jobs and 33 police officer jobs, but would not result in any layoffs. Empty positions in both departments won’t be filled.
The MetroSource news wire contributed to this report.
