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Background Information
The cities of Wauwatosa and West Allis received a report from a joint study evaluating the potential for shared fire and emergency medical services. Download the final report. The goal of the study was to explore whether a merger could maintain or improve service levels while achieving greater operational or financial efficiency.
The merged department could reduce costs through operational efficiencies. For example, the City could replace a ladder truck with a lower-cost engine and remove another from the reserve fleet, saving roughly $3 million. The merger also makes the City eligible to pursue up to $20 million in state innovation funding.
Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue Governing Board Meetings
Agendas, minutes, and a link to join the meeting virtually will be posted on Wauwatosa’s meeting portal.
- April 15, 2026 5:30 PM West Allis City Hall
- May 20, 2026 5:30 PM Wauwatosa City Hall
- June 17, 2026 5:30 PM West Allis City Hall
- July 15, 2026 5:30 PM Wauwatosa City Hall
- August 19, 2026 5:30 PM West Allis City Hall
- September 16, 2026 5:30 PM Wauwatosa City Hall
- October 21, 2026 5:30 PM West Allis City Hall
- November 18, 2026 5:30 PM Wauwatosa City Hall
- December 16, 2026 5:30 PM West Allis City Hall
Past Public Meetings about the Fire Merger
- September 2 – Resident Information Session at the West Allis City Hall Art Gallery (7525 W. Greenfield Ave.) from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- September 2 – West Allis Common Council
- September 9 – Wauwatosa Common Council (presentation of the report)
- September 16 – West Allis Common Council
- September 18, 4:30 – 6:30 pm – Information session in Wauwatosa held in Lower Civic Center in City Hall, 7725 W North Avenue
- September 23 – Wauwatosa Government Affairs
- September 30 – Wauwatosa Common Council
- November 11 – Wauwatosa Government Affairs
- December 9 – Wauwatosa Government Affairs
- December 16 – Wauwatosa Government Affairs
- December 16 – Wauwatosa Common Council
- January 20 – Wauwatosa Government Affairs
- February 10 – Wauwatosa Government Affairs
- February 24 – Wauwatosa Common Council
How to Submit Public Comment
For Wauwatosa, both in-person and Zoom formats are available for Common Council and Government Affairs meetings. You can provide public comment at the Government Affairs meeting. You can also submit public comment using our eComment feature on the meeting portal: Wauwatosa.net/meetingportal
Frequently Asked Questions
Based on the results of the study, response times would remain the same or improve. Our departments already support each other on calls, and a merger could bring additional benefits, such as the potential for a shared dispatch center and leadership team, which would require further research.
When we look at community coverage, this is unlikely in the short-term.
According to the study, the estimated savings amount to around $7 million for each community over five years. For example, we would likely merge the number of reserve engines and reserve ambulances between our two organizations. Additionally, we expect there will be operational efficiencies. For example, we would only have one fire chief. Without a merger, Wauwatosa would be looking at cuts to staff and service in the coming years. This mitigates the continuing history of consistent cuts to the fire department in the last 15 years.
Separately, recent changes to the State Innovation Fund rules offer a greater opportunity for the merged department to be eligible for an Innovation Fund grant. The annual payment under the grant could be over $4.25 million annually, or somewhere between $16 million and $21 million each over the 5 years of the program, depending on funding availability in the Innovation Fund.
It’s possible that a joint fire department could increase taxes. Both fire departments are currently underfunded. Under state law, a merged department would be allowed to increase its budget by 2% plus inflation each year. That means the joint department could be properly funded, which would lead to better equipment and resources. An accountable department structure would ensure those funds are used responsibly.
As with any shared service agreement, there is an option for each Common Council to discontinue. Once a final agreement is established, there are legal options for the ending of the joint department.
If merged, there would be a new governance structure created to represent the merged Fire Departments. The current Wauwatosa Police and Fire Commission would remain and only oversee police hiring, firing, and discipline (per state law).
If a merger were to move forward, the councils would establish clear governance structures outlining how decisions are made, how budgets are managed, and how accountability is maintained. This would be outlined in a joint agreement.
Just like today, the hiring of a Fire Chief is the decision of the Police and Fire Commission. Details about the hiring process for a new Fire Chief would be decided at a later date.
Both Wauwatosa and West Allis are currently represented by their own union contracts. If merged, a new standalone contract would be developed that will apply to members of the new organization.
This is a level of detail that will be decided after a new, combined organization is formed.
The consultant’s report outlines some recommended changes that could be made with a combined organization. These reductions, combined with adjustments to apparatus and shared expenses, could lower the cost to run a merged fire service by approximately $7 million.
It is not projected that any employees will be laid off, as attrition will address these vacancies. Our priority remains to maintain high-quality service to the community while being responsible stewards of public resources.