Firefighting and emergency response capacities in Milwaukee’s South Side saw a significant upgrade this week as local officials, including Mayor Cavalier Johnson and Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, marked the reopening of Fire Station 31 at 2400 S. 8th St, a site that had sat idle since December 2017. According to a release by the City of Milwaukee, the station's reopening was made possible by funding allocated in the 2025 City budget, an investment aimed at bolstering public safety infrastructure within the community.
During the opening ceremony, Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic, who represents the district where the station is located, expressed her contentment on the return of crucial services because budget cuts in previous years put considerable strains on fire and emergency response services, causing delays, but with the current economic upturn, the station comes back to life, promising shorter response times for the local community, a change Dimitrijevic says "can mean the difference of minutes." "Having this station operating once again can mean the difference of minutes in response times which are invaluable to my district and our city," Dimitrijevic told the City of Milwaukee.
The impact of Fire Station 31 extends beyond merely responding to fires and medical emergencies. Dimitrijevic highlighted the broader role firefighters play as community pillars, emphasizing the station’s contribution to public health, particularly as healthcare and insurance corporations step back. "We also cannot state enough the impact of a fire station in the community. As healthcare and insurance corporations divest from this city, we remain committed to investing in public health," she emphasized, as reported by the City of Milwaukee.
The reopening of Fire Station 31 on Milwaukee’s South Side highlights the city's commitment to using its improved finances to provide important public services. After being without a local station for over seven years, the South Side now has quick access to emergency services that are crucial for safety and survival.
