Cleveland Division of Fire's fleet is in a state of such disrepair that it threatens the safety of the firefighters operating them, according to the city's fire union.
“We know we’re going out there with compromised equipment,” Francis Lally, the head of the firefighters union, told WOIO-TV. “It’s a risk to everyone.”
Firefighters have been forced to keep damaged pieces of apparatus in service because the department doesn't have any additional rigs to spare, Lally said. In fact, emergency vehicles that normally would be used in a backup function are now being used as the primary units in some cases.
“Other departments have spares," Lally told WOIO. "We have spares, but because of the issues with our fleet... those spares are actually operating as first-line units for us."
Earlier this week, the department's Ladder 30 was at the scene of an accident along Interstate 90 when the apparatus was struck by another vehicle. No one was injured in the incident, but a utility ladder on the side of the apparatus, a tail light and compartments sustained damage.
“It is damaged and compromised and should be taken out of service,” said Lally, adding that the vehicle is still in use.
Adding to firefighters' frustration with the fleet is the fact that the city had purchased multiple vehicles last year, according to Lally. But those rigs aren't in the field because they are waiting for radio equipment to be installed in them, he added.
Although the recent damage to Ladder 30 creates an unfortunate situation for firefighters, the incident has put the spotlight on the issues the department when it comes to its fleet. That attention, however, hasn't changed
“It should be replaced, so repairs can be made," Lally told WOIO concerning the condition of Ladder 30 and rest of the department's fleet. "But at the end of the day the decision is, do we use the truck we have or no truck at all? And it’s better to use the truck."
Department officials did not comment when WOIO asked about the state of the fleet. No timeline has been set up for when Ladder 30 would be repaired or when the new vehicles would be in service, Lally said.
