Milwaukee Fire Historical Society & Fire Museum

06/21/2026

Fire Boat Deluge in 1949 and 1973.
Also we shared what we believe is a picture of the outside fire pole on the Fire boat station. Do you remember the fire pole on the outside of the building going down to the deck?!

Thanks Noah Halsey for sharing this!

06/20/2026

We are here for you, be here for us.

We will not forget.
Mental health struggles affect our men and women in uniform every day, and silence only deepens that burden. As a fire service family, we must continue to stand together—breaking the stigma and creating real, positive change.
In the history of MFD On June 20th, the Milwaukee Fire Department lost a member to su***de. We honor their life by committing ourselves to connection, compassion, and action.
CHECK ON A FRIEND.
Research is clear: one of the most effective ways to prevent su***de is strong social connection.
Is there a friend, family member, or crew member you’ve been meaning to check on? Don’t wait. A phone call, text, or visit can be life-saving. Sometimes all it takes is letting someone know: “You are not alone.”
If you believe someone may be struggling, ask directly:
“Are you having thoughts of su***de?”
Asking does not cause harm—it opens the door to help.
If the answer is yes, maybe, or I’m not sure, get help immediately.
Call or text 988 (U.S. & Canada) for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
Members and families of the Milwaukee Fire Department can also reach out to the MFD Peer Support Team—confidential, compassionate, and here for you.
Taking care of each other is not a weakness.
It’s who we are.
It’s how we save lives—on and off the job.
💛 You matter. We need you here.

Milwaukee Fire Department
Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association
Milwaukee Fire Historical Society & Fire Museum
Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters

06/20/2026

06/18/2026

06/17/2026

Another recent video digitalized by Steve Redick of the Fireboat Deluge 1966.

06/12/2026

Monday, June 15 - 11:30 am-12:30 pm

Treasures of the Great Lakes Series

Milwaukee Central Library, 814 W. Wisconsin Ave.

Located on the 1st floor - Rotary Club Room – just right of the rotunda elevator - FREE

Guest speaker Jim Heinz

Milwaukee’s Fireboats

Hear the story of the boats that kept Milwaukee safe, including the one that does so today.

Milwaukee Fire Department
Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association
Milwaukee Public Library

06/12/2026

From: Sue Bosman This is her story: My great grandfather was a fireman in Milwaukee. Before he was an official employee, he helped to fight the Third Ward Fire of 1892. On 3/4/1903 he officially was stationed at Engine Company #3 on 2nd and National Avenue.
In the very early 1900s, a working day for firemen in Milwaukee consisted of a 24 hour day with 3 hours per day off, one hour for each meal. The fireman was asked to live close to the station. Every 10 days he was allowed 12 hours off. Coachman was another name for a person who worked with horses. Only a person with this background could be promoted to driver after 7 or more years with the department. A general fire fighter was called a private and pipeman was a fancy name for a driver. A driver was a quite high position. The next in line was boss.
Teams were in 2 parts. Engine #1 was the engine truck with the Boss, Driver, Assistant and 2 privates. Truck #2 was the hose truck with the Boss, Driver and 2 Privates. My Grandfather, Theodore Ballering, was at Firehouse #3, on 2nd and National Avenue, Ward 5. He owned a tavern about 1 block away which my great grandmother Polly ran. Theodore’s badge number was #273. My dad recalled a story as told to him by Theodore that they got a call to a fire when Theodore was hitching up the horses, one of the horses kicked him in the face, and he was quite injured. The date was 10/5/1909 (I have a copy of his employment records with dates and reasons why he was off work). The Fire department was very mad that he would take off for such an injury.
The wage in 1903 was $40 per month. Wage for a private, when Theodore retired in 1935 was $2,040 per year, Theodore's wage was 2,160 per year as a driver.
Theodore also made homemade beer in his basement. There was an explosion one day from one of the containers of fermenting hops or beer, and a basement fire started. I found a news article describing the incident, and added at the end of the article, it was stated that he was a Milwaukee Fireman, likely to embarrass him.
The picture of Theodore - He is sitting on the Engine on the right, Theodore is behind the horse on the left as a driver

Thanks Sue for sharing this!

06/10/2026

It's time to order your Campout shirts! All pre orders must be in by Sunday, June 28th to guarantee your size and color.

No shipping, must pick up at the camp out or set up a plan to get it from one of the members.

Sending Payments:
See payment options in the link below.

Any active or retired Milwaukee firefighters can join here:
Milwaukee Fire Department Campout

Please use this link here: https://form.jotform.com/261587467862170?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv4_a1dennhaxq7iok&fbclid=IwY2xjawSVjBNleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETE1NlhmdzJ6U1JBWDNsRm4zc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuSFBu0sVnp8i6GZ9M-46FLU59x6jbh-W7vspvbILXG4d6eMHvB-K-VXCbei_aem_JXBORwHkpLudCkkQYypdzQ

Milwaukee Fire Department
Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association
Milwaukee Fire Historical Society & Fire Museum
Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters

06/06/2026

For those of you who don’t know, Scott was on the job for 28 years. He has been battling cancer for about a year and a half and now needs our help.
We are hosting a fundraiser at Matty’s bar on August 16th(flyers in firehouses) as well as having this gun raffle.
Get your ticket before they are gone!!! $20 each and only 2,000 being sold for a total of 10 chances to win a gun!

****Before scanning the code, please reach out one of us for how to buy a ticket.(it’s through cash,Venmo,Zelle not the QR code)

Rachel Ambroch
Andrew Stenz

06/03/2026

Please reach out to

We will not forget.
Mental health struggles affect our men and women in uniform every day, and silence only deepens that burden. As a fire service family, we must continue to stand together—breaking the stigma and creating real, positive change.
In the history of MFD On June 3rd, the Milwaukee Fire Department lost a member to su***de. We honor their life by committing ourselves to connection, compassion, and action.
CHECK ON A FRIEND.
Research is clear: one of the most effective ways to prevent su***de is strong social connection.
Is there a friend, family member, or crew member you’ve been meaning to check on? Don’t wait. A phone call, text, or visit can be life-saving. Sometimes all it takes is letting someone know: “You are not alone.”
If you believe someone may be struggling, ask directly:
“Are you having thoughts of su***de?”
Asking does not cause harm—it opens the door to help.
If the answer is yes, maybe, or I’m not sure, get help immediately.
Call or text 988 (U.S. & Canada) for the Su***de & Crisis Lifeline.
Members and families of the Milwaukee Fire Department can also reach out to the MFD Peer Support Team—confidential, compassionate, and here for you.
Taking care of each other is not a weakness.
It’s who we are.
It’s how we save lives—on and off the job.
💛 You matter. We need you here.

Milwaukee Fire Department
Milwaukee Professional Firefighters Association
Milwaukee Fire Historical Society & Fire Museum
Milwaukee Brotherhood of Firefighters