- The Milwaukee Fire Museum is so well preserved,
it feels like we're stepping back in time.
Come on. Let me show you around.
To my right is the original alert system
that was in use until the mid-1990s.
Firemen had to physically decode the signals
that came in to see where a fire was located.
They were so good at their work,
that when computers were ushered in,
the response time increased by only 30 seconds.
That's impressive.
Up next, the captain's quarters.
And just off the main hall is the captain's quarters.
And we can really see how these men lived.
I mean check out
this typewriter and this huge desk.
And it looks like they're ready to go
if they get a fire signal in the middle of the night.
Unlike the captain's quarters,
the firemen bunked together in this room.
Today it's used as a meeting and educational space.
To my right is a timeline of the Milwaukee Fire Department
and to my left is a display of the major fires in Milwaukee.
Behind the sleeping quarters are the lockers
where the firemen kept their personal belongings.
You can see examples
of some of the items that the lockers contained,
like smoking tobacco, personal hygiene products,
and even family photos.
Now this tour wouldn't be complete
without a look in the kitchen cuz who doesn't love to eat?
Let's go.
The kitchen is located off of the garage and
really gives us a taste of firehouse living.
I wonder if they made things out of the "Settlement Cookbook"?