Engines and Other Apparatus of the Milwaukee Fire Department: An Illustrated History

The vehicles and other firefighting equipment of the Milwaukee Fire Department, like the department itself, are unique among the fire service. It built more of its own apparatus than any other American city and few can match the scope and character of apparatus used to serve and protect life and property in Milwaukee.

Through detailed research, firsthand narratives, and captivating photos, the author walks the reader through the fascinating history of the incredible machines that served Cream City from the mid-nineteenth century to modern times.

This volume traces the ever-changing face of Milwaukee’s fire-fighting and life-saving equipment in parallel with the city’s own history and growth. The fire department workshop’s reputation for ingenuity is shown through its adaptations to disastrous fires that brought about changes in laws, economic growth and decline, the establishment of Milwaukee’s ethnic neighborhoods, the difficult transition from horses to motorization, the wartime and post-war experience, the corporate world of apparatus manufacturers, and Milwaukee’s fireboat fleet.

Author Wayne Mutza is a literary and documentary film consultant and has published more than thirty books and numerous articles. He lives in Brookfield, Wisconsin.

“This chronological, decade by decade, record spans more than 150 years and looks at the developmental history of Milwaukee’s fire apparatus. The book is packed with high-quality reproductions of photographs dating back to the late 1800s, each with a detailed explanation which gives a fascinating insight into how the engines and apparatus of the Milwaukee Fire Department has progressed through the years. This book is a great read and
will be a welcome addition to all those with a passion for fire department history.” Duncan J White, Group Editor MDM Publishing Ltd – Publishers of International Fire Fighter magazine.

The book is available in paperback and consists of 318 pages. It is priced at $49.95.

For more information, go to www.mcfarlandbooks.com/product/engines-and-other-apparatus-of-the-milwaukee-fire-department/