By FireRescue1 Staff
HOUSTON — A group of firefighters were forced to wait 11 hours in a tent after their fire truck broke down.
Click 2 Houston reported that the Houston Fire Department firefighters were returning from a back-to-school event when their 14-year-old apparatus failed.
After the crew waited for several hours, a family member of one of the firefighters brought them a tent. HFD policy states that crews must stay with incapacitated rigs.
“Nobody gave them direction as to checking on them, where do they go, there was no water, no restrooms out there, and no one gave them direction,” Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Patrick Lancton said.
Houston Fire Chief Sam Pena issued a statement on the incident.
“Multiple attempts were made to tow the unit but were unsuccessful due to the remote and limited access location of the apparatus and the possibility of causing additional damage to the ladder by attempting to tow the vehicle,” he said. “The decision was made by the company’s District Chief to have the crew remain with the unit to prevent any theft or vandalism. Mechanics from the City’s Fleet Management Department (FMD) secured the needed parts and repaired the unit on-site the following morning.”