- We've explored a bit more here
and I wanted to talk to a retired fireman
who now maintains the museum.
I'm here with Warren Skonieczny,
president of the Milwaukee Fire Historical Society.
How are you Warren?
- Fine. Thank you. Thanks for coming.
- Thanks for having us.
Why would you say that
this museum is an important resource for the community?
- Well, it provides two things.
One is it provides an educational opportunity
for anybody who comes here.
And the other thing would be it keeps in line
the history and traditions of the Milwaukee Fire Department.
So there's something here for everybody to see
whether it's with respect to the fire department,
the history of Milwaukee, fire safety,
a whole array of things so it's kind of an interesting place.
- That does sound interesting.
When can people actually come to visit?
- We have an open house the first Sunday of each month
from 12 noon until 3 o'clock.
And then we also have tours.
Those are done by appointment.
- Ok. Wonderful.
So they can contact you if they would like
to come outside of normal operating hours?
- Correct.
- Wonderful.
Last question.
What is the thing you like the most about the museum?
- Well, for me it's one way
to stay in contact with the people I worked with.
This is probably the closest
that any of us retired firefighters will get
to the firehouse kitchen table.
At the firehouse kitchen table,
all the shenanigans,
all the foolishness took place while we were on duty.
So this is the closest
that we'll probably ever get to that experience again.
- That's good you are still able to have that here.
- It's great. It's absolutely great.
Same thing happens here.
One interesting thing is there's no rank, so anything goes.
[laughs]
- Thank you for sharing that today.
- Thanks for coming by.
- And that takes us to our next story.
- And that is how to say my last name.
[lots of laughter]