Madison legislators have introduced a new bill to strengthen fire safety in older apartment buildings, following a Mother’s Day fire that killed five people and displaced more than 100 residents. The incident occurred in a 1960s building without a sprinkler system, prompting renewed attention to outdated fire prevention standards.
According to a City of Milwaukee release, at Milwaukee Fire Department Station 32, State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, State Sen. Dora Drake, and State Rep. Margaret Arney announced the legislative proposal. The bill calls for an audit of existing sprinkler systems, the creation of a grant program to fund sprinkler installations in older buildings, and authority for municipalities to enforce new fire safety requirements.
The proposal includes a $10 million statewide grant fund to help property owners cover the costs of installing sprinkler systems. The initiative aligns with earlier local efforts, including Milwaukee Common Council File #250278, which urged state and federal support for retrofitting older apartment buildings with fire suppression systems.
If enacted, the legislation would enhance fire safety standards across Wisconsin and reduce risks in multi-unit residential buildings.
