DETROIT – Local 4 spoke to sources within the Detroit Fire Department who are fuming after another truck broke down in the line of duty.
Last week, Karen Drew spoke to Detroit firefighters who expressed frustration over equipment. Tires were falling off moving fire trucks and squads were too small to carry the necessary rescue equipment. On Tuesday, firefighters reported another issue while on a medical run.
Fire union officials said Squad 4 was using a reserve engine because its original rig is out of service. The reserve engine experienced problems in the 7300 block of Northfield Street on the city’s west side.
Someone had called the department and reported that a person was “lying down” and “not moving at all.” Firefighters had to call in and say they couldn’t make it because of “rig issues.”
Here is a statement from the Detroit Fire Department:
The engine that Squad 4 was using on a temporary basis experienced an operational issue that resulted in the driver driving it back to its company house. As a precaution, it was later towed to the shop for repairs. Within an hour or so, Squad 4 was provided another engine as a replacement.
Work on Squad 4′s original vehicle has been completed and it is being road tested. It is expected to be back in service tomorrow. Additionally, Squad 1 went back into service on Friday and Squad 5 is going back in service today. When Squad 4 goes back in service, all six of our squad companies will be in their original Squad rigs.
Detroit Fire Department