Two weeks ago, Menomonee Falls Fire Department did not have any working fire engines. During a special meeting last week, the department said it would not have enough firefighters in a couple weeks.  

Monday night, the village board approved buying a new fire truck to replace the one that was totaled in an accident last summer. It will still take six months for the new truck to arrive. Menomonee Falls currently only has three trucks for five stations.

Fire Chief Mike Eckenrode explained that the Millbourne apparatus will not replace any of the apparatus the borough company now has in operation but will extend the life of equipment already on hand. The Millbourne Fire Company went out of service several months ago and is selling off its equipment.  

In another matter, residents from an apartment building on Morton Avenue complained to council about their cars parked on the street being ticketed for violating 2-hour parking limits between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. The residents said off-street parking provided by apartment owners is not enough to accommodate all the tenants.

Brian Smith alleges he suffered “severe and excruciating pain, as well as extreme mental anguish” as a result of the incident that involved two other volunteer firefighters, who allegedly drove the truck, according the suit. 

The suit, filed Monday, lists volunteers Brandon Reczkowski and Anthony Moreno as defendants, who allegedly had been drinking when they “drove and operated the engine in a careless and negligent manner.” 

David Nasta, the township’s attorney, confirmed that Smith, Reczkowski and Moreno attended a “wetting-down” party in June 2018 to celebrate the Fair Lawn Fire Department’s acquisition of a new fire engine. But Nasta said that “what transpired there and on the way back is under investigation." He denied negligence on the township’s part. 

The fire truck cost $988,000, and Flint Fire Chief Barton says that the funds to buy it was in last year's budget.

The fire department will also be getting new helmets, thanks to funds that came from the Hundred Club.