A Scripps National investigation highlights a national shortage of ambulance chassis is impacting first responders and in Milwaukee County, the manufacturing issues extend further than just ambulances.
“Delays in getting products delivered, getting replacement parts and building fire apparatus has been a challenge,” Assistant Chief Schuyler Belott with the Milwaukee Fire Department said.
Belott walked TMJ4 through MFD’s repair shop; a building over 90 years old, that is responsible for maintaining the roughly 200 vehicles in the department’s fleet. A building originally meant to fix vehicles pulled by horses now has grounds reinforced to fix massive machines. Belott says the trucks are between 72,000 lbs. and 75,000 lbs.
Thursday, there were a handful of fire trucks and ambulances in need of a variety of repairs.