Firefighters we spoke with say their ability to respond to calls could be hampered. Now, officials are speaking out about possible solutions.
One engine 12-46, a 19-80 Ford pumper may be taken out of reserve and put into service. With more than 100,000 miles and nearly a quarter century old, some fire fighters are concerned.
Carlos Torres, Fire Fighter's Association, says, "We have an aging apparatus fleet. Fire apparatus being fire pumpers and ladder trucks we have over half the fleet having ninety thousand miles or more."
Some firefighters say this is the worst condition they've seen the city's fleet in more than 20 years. Fire trucks used to rack up about 6,000 miles a year. Now they can do that in about three months, because the city of Corpus Christi provides an extensive emergency response, sending out a fire truck for every call.
The high mileage on the city's emergency vehicles is also costing you more money. City records show fire trucks and ambulances making frequent and expensive trips to the repair shop. Unit 12-65 pulled into the mechanic's garage 10 times within a 15 month period. All those trips cost you more than $14,000.
So you might wonder why over 10 to 15 years the fire department didn't buy more red trucks. Well, blame it on shrinking budgets.
Corpus Christi Fire Department Chief J.J. Adame says, "There were a couple of years where we skipped buying vehicles over the past 10 to 15 years, so some of the stuff has had an impact were we are today."
Chief Adame says he is requesting to purchase three new units when budget talk comes up in August.
So now it's going to be up to the City Council to approve that request.
Council members are expected to hold a retreat in May, and there the council might consider adding new emergency vehicles to the next bond election.
That is just one of many options to buy the fire department the new equipment it's asking for.
