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Commission drops Milwaukee Fire Department citizenship requirement

“If someone is otherwise legally hirable, whether or not they are a U.S. citizen, that’s fine with us,” said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski

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Photo/Milwaukee Fire Department

By Leila Merrill

MILWAUKEE —The Milwaukee Fire Department can now legally hire individuals regardless of citizenship status, Fox6now reported.

The Fire and Police Commission voted in July to end a rule requiring that fire department employees be U.S. citizens.

“If someone is otherwise legally hirable, whether or not they are a U.S. citizen, that’s fine with us,” said Milwaukee Fire Chief Aaron Lipski, who noted the department could benefit from more diversity and multilingual crewmembers.

Ed Fallone, FPC chairman, added: “We have many residents who are permanent resident aliens or Dreamers, DACA recipients who are legally entitled to work in the U.S. They have long-term ties in the city, and if you’re watching and you want to give back to your community contact the MFD, we’d love to have you.”