Milwaukee fallen firefighter memorial program; city leaders speak
MILWAUKEE - Since 1860, 143 firefighters have died while serving the City of Milwaukee. On Thursday, Oct. 12, a ceremony was to remember those fallen firefighters.
"For every story that is shared with us, there are many others that are never told," said Leon Todd, Milwaukee Fire and Police Commission.
But while each story may not be known, at the fallen firefighters memorial, it is their selflessness that is remembered and honored.
"Every day, your firefighters every day willingly walk, crawl, run into horribly hazardous environments," said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski.
Chief Lipski said it is not just burning buildings that take the lives of firefighters.
"Being a firefighter, is a known carcinogen. We suffer cancer beyond rates far beyond the average public," Lipski said.
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The duties of a firefighter can take both a physical and mental toll.
2023 Milwaukee Fallen Firefighters Memorial
"Every fire, the firefighters come back, the paramedics come back, and they get everything in ship shape, top-notch order to go back out the door again," Lipski said. "That brain should get as much attention."
Lipski said fortunately, the department is starting to address this.
2023 Milwaukee Fallen Firefighters Memorial
"We have seen it take an absolute horrible toll, and we desperately need to change that," Lipski said.
The fire chief also said every one of us can play a role in preventing the death of a firefighter – by practicing fire safety.
2023 Milwaukee Fallen Firefighters Memorial
"To sharpen the tool here and prevent it from happening again. Let's make this not have to keep happening," Lipski said.
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The firefighter memorial ceremony is held every year as part of Fire Prevention Week.