October 9, 2023

March 20th, 1976 I was in my apartment on 45th and North Avenue when I heard sirens and smelled smoke.

Looking outside, a block away I saw a fire taking over a house and first responders arriving at the scene.

Being a photographer working for the Bugle American newspaper in Milwaukee at the time, I grabbed the camera and went to check it out.

This was a full blown house fire and Milwaukee firefighters were setting up hoses and blasting the fire with water. 

I came across this old film a while ago and it shows our incredible first responders of the Milwaukee Fire Department in action. Many thanks to them for what they do daily!

There is fire coming out of the windows and water is coming out of the doorways to the sidewalk. Firefighters wearing all their gear went inside to check for any person or animal that needed rescuing.

Take a look at the photo of the fire truck and check out all the gear they are using. Shows us how much improvement has been made to equipment for fire departments and first responders. They undoubtedly require the best we can give them.

Also notice a couple of television journalist friends filming away for the evening news report.

This gives you an idea of how photojournalists also risk their lives with the work they do.  For me I can think of two situations where it got very dangerous.

First would be when I was almost squished to death with a general admission audience for The Who waiting to be let into a show in Madison, Wisconsin at the Dane County Coliseum. A security friend got me through the door before mayhem happened. A moving crowd wanted to get in through the glass doors NOW!!!  I almost broke through the glass door because of people pushing and shoving me as I was right up front at the door.

Another time, I was in pit lane at the Milwaukee Mile. Marco Andretti missed his pit spot during practice and I thought for sure he was aiming for me!

As a rock'n 'roll and auto racing photojournalist since 1971 I have to keep my eyes open for anything and I thought I'd seen it all but still get surprised every now and then.

Enjoy a look at the Milwaukee Fire Department doing what they do best.

Thanks,

Rich Zimmermann