Statement from Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs, Alderwoman Andrea M. Pratt, and Alderwoman Sharlen P. Moore
A new legislative package has been introduced in Madison to help retrofit older multi-unit/multi-family apartment buildings with sprinkler systems, and we applaud this as an excellent step forward to help prevent tragedies such as the Mother’s Day fire earlier this year that killed five people and displaced over 100 more at an apartment building at N. 27th St. and W. Highland Blvd.
The package, which would require an audit of sprinkler systems, create a grant program to fund sprinkler installation and give municipalities the authority to enact new fire suppression requirements, was announced yesterday (Monday, October 27) outside Milwaukee Fire Department Station 32. We wish to thank State Sen. LaTonya Johnson, State Sen. Dora Drake, and State Rep. Margaret Arney for their willingness to support state legislation seeking this important change to state law.
The building where the deadly Mother’s Day fire took place was built in the 1960s and was not required to have a sprinkler system, which left occupants in a potentially dangerous situation that sadly turned tragic in May. The fire killed five, but upended the lives of dozens who were left without homes and deeply traumatized by what occurred.
In part, the legislation in Madison would create a $10 million statewide grant fund that landlords could apply for assistance from, to help pay for the installation of sprinkler systems in older buildings. This is a critical component of the package, because of the significantly high cost of installing fire suppression systems.
In the wake of the tragedy, we sponsored Common Council File #250278 in June to urge the State of Wisconsin and the federal government to establish a program to encourage owners of multi-family properties to retrofit fire suppression systems in older apartment buildings.
We are hopeful that the legislation will gain support and momentum, and that it can ultimately be passed to bring new fire suppression systems that will minimize the risk of similar tragedies occurring in the future. The lives of our residents depend on it.
