WEST ALLIS, Wis. — Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue has appointed its first fire chief who will lead the new organization that formed as a merger of Wauwatosa and West Allis fire departments.
Tim Sendelbach was selected as chief after a national search by the Milwaukee Metro Joint Fire Commission.
Sendelbach has spent over 40 years in fire protection across multiple states, most recently serving as chief of Loveland Fire Rescue Authority in Colorado. An authority board voted to terminate his contract there early this year, prompting a vote of no confidence in the board from a local firefighters union and an outpouring of community support for Sendelbach.
“I appreciate the opportunity to serve Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue at this point in its development,” Chief Sendelbach said in a statement. “The merger allows the partner departments to combine capabilities and further support frontline personnel while establishing consistent, accountable and safety-focused emergency services.”
The Wauwatosa-West Allis merger was approved by both cities’ common councils in February after a study found uniting resources would save the municipalities a combined $7 million, avoid staff cuts and improve response times.
“Chief Sendelbach’s appointment reflects the level of leadership Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue aims to establish during the merger process,” MMFR Commission President Aletha Champine said in a statement. “His experience in firefighter safety, organizational performance and operational management will assist the organization in developing a coordinated regional model.”
MMFR said Sendelbach will help with integrating the departments and improving service consistency as the organization prepares to begin service in 2027. It added that the merger structure could support additional departments in the future.
The Milwaukee Metro Fire Rescue Board of Directors will finalize Sendelbach’s appointment as its next meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 16.
