Looking at the Green Bay skyline, not many high-rise buildings are in view. But, in the event of an emergency, responders have to be ready for the few taller buildings in Northeast Wisconsin.
That was the case last week, after a 10-story apartment building caught fire in Green Bay’s downtown.
It happened at about 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday July 24, at the Monroe Plaza Apartments. As the building houses mainly people who are disabled or elderly, not everyone was able to evacuate the fire.
Last week, Action 2 News ran a story on safety tips for people who are elderly or disabled, in the event of a fire. After that, our station received calls from concerned Monroe Plaza tenants, worrying that the apartment complex is too tall – and that fire engine’s ladders cannot reach the top floor.
Action 2 News reached out to the Green Bay Metro Fire Department, which handled the fire, but responders were unable to comment. The nearby City of De Pere Fire Department explained how first responders handle a high-rise fire. “Any time that you go into that type of a situation, that type of a fire, then we have to consider alternatives. And that's what we call ‘high rise operation,’ says Assistant Chief Rich Annen, City of De Pere Fire Department.