Mark Rohlfing is the Fire Chief of the Milwaukee Fire Department. He was appointed for the job in 2010 by Mayor Tom Barrett.
Official Biography
Chief Rohlfing comes to the Milwaukee Fire Department with an impressive background. He has been in the fire service for 27 years and spent most of his firefighting career in his hometown Omaha, Nebraska. Most recently, he spent the last two years of his career as fire chief for the Rapid City Department of Fire & Rescue in South Dakota.
Chief Rohlfing began his career with the Omaha Fire Department in 1983 as a firefighter and successfully advanced through the ranks to assistant fire chief. He also served as an adjunct faculty member from 2001-2007 at the University of Nebraska Omaha and taught classes for the Fire Protection Technology Program.
While with the Omaha Fire Department Chief Rohlfing sat on the Political Action Committee, Public Safety Training Facility Committee, the UASI Committee, Human Relations Committee, the Training Committee, and was a union executive board member for a two-year term. He was also a member of the Task Force1/Urban Search and Rescue team and a manager for the Haz-Mat team.
Chief Rohlfing holds a Master of Science degree in executive fire leadership from Grand Canyon University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, and an Associate Degree in fire protection technology from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. He is also a graduate of the Executive Fire Program of the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland, with training in executive development, strategic management of change, executive administration and executive leadership.
Chief Rohlfing is a member of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Pennington County Emergency Management Oversight Committee, National Fire Academy Alumni Association, and an advisory board member for the Salvation Army.
Chief Rohlfing is married to Maureen Rohlfing and the two have a teenage son named Ryan, and two college-aged daughters named Jordan and Kaitlin.
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Content referencing Mark Rohlfing
Committee Backs Johnson’s FPC Nominees
Council committee endorses two "immensely qualified" candidates to finally fill Fire & Police Commission.
Sep 9th, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
Aaron Lipski Given Four-Year Term As Fire Chief
Chief comes from a family that is synonymous with Milwaukee fire fighting.
Apr 22nd, 2022 by Jeramey Jannene
New Fire Chief Tackling Tough Issues
Increasing diversity, reducing staff burnout are top issues for Chief Aaron Lipski.
Jun 24th, 2021 by Edgar Mendez
Lipski Appointed Fire Chief For One Year
Fire & Police Commission could open up internal search process next year.
May 24th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Barrett Backs Lipski For Fire Chief
Acting chief gains remarkably broad array of support for permanent fire chief.
May 20th, 2021 by Jeramey Jannene
Our Workload Is “Through the Roof”
How the closing of south-side station impacts Milwaukee Fire Department.
Feb 7th, 2021 by Edgar Mendez
Alders Want Police Chief Search Paused Following FPC Resignations
City struggles to find stability in police oversight body.
Nov 5th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Special Meeting in Police Chief Search Results in “Chaos”
Chair calls executive director out of order repeatedly, then another commissioner calls chair a dictator.
Oct 9th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Search for Police Chief Goes National
5 of 6 candidates from outside Milwaukee. FPC to decide by December. Barrett will weigh in.
Oct 5th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
Milwaukee Fire Chief Retires
Rohlfing criticized for how he handled black doll hung by its neck in station break room.
Sep 26th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
Firefighter Who Hung Black Doll Not Racist?
So says Fire Chief. Council members grill him. FPC will review case.
Sep 16th, 2020 by Corrinne Hess
Fire & Police Leader Withdraws
FPC Executive Director Griselda Aldrete says council values spectacle over merit.
Jul 6th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Fire Department Investigating Brown Figure Hanging in “Looped Ribbon”
Charges expected to be read this week. Investigation underway since February.
Jun 28th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Fire & Police Commission Director Wins Committee Support For Reappointment
Griselda Aldrete gets committee support, but needs to pick up five votes from the full council to keep her job.
Jun 25th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
First Responders React To Supply Shortage, Change Operations
Police officers and firefighters are having trouble accessing the personal protective equipment they need.
Mar 20th, 2020 by Graham Kilmer
Milwaukee Preparing for the Arrival of Coronavirus
Scale of virus outbreak in Wisconsin doubles during press conference as Barrett asks Evers to declare statewide emergency.
Mar 11th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Homicides Down 33% Since 2015
New approach with many stakeholders paying off, but work nowhere near done, says mayor.
Jan 13th, 2020 by Jeramey Jannene
Officer Ray Confirmed Without Debate
Former MPD officer is newest member of troubled Fire and Police Commission.
Dec 17th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
The Mess at Fire & Police Commission
Key city agency seems to be in very big trouble. Why?
Dec 17th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
Stunned Council Grills FPC Director
"It all doesn't add up" two aldermen say, while Hamilton says questions were answered.
Dec 5th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Who Lost the City Residency Rule?
Lena Taylor blames Mayor Barrett. But did she fight the state law killing residency?
Nov 27th, 2019 by Bruce Murphy
4,000 Police Officers Will Guard DNC
Some 150 police departments, 12 fire departments will secure 50,000-person event.
Nov 14th, 2019 by Jeramey Jannene
Fire Department Defends Vacant Building Signs
They're meant to warn fire fighters of hazards; Bauman charges they attract crime.
Oct 5th, 2018 by Analise Pruni
Trinity Church Fire Damage $17 Million
140-year-old Evangelical Lutheran church on 9th and Highland had extensive damage.
May 17th, 2018 by Chuck Quirmbach
Neighbors Fight for Brady St. Fire Station
But by the end of public meeting held by Ald. Kovac many seemed resigned to its loss.
Oct 12th, 2017 by Michael Horne
Is Mayor Barrett Playing With Fire?
Actually, his reduction in fire stations may have no impact on safety.
Oct 10th, 2017 by Bruce Murphy
