WASHINGTON — Public safety has come into question after sources found that D.C. Fire and EMS has been operating with a dwindling number of ladder trucks it needs to keep the city safe.
This past summer, D.C. Fire launched a fleet-wide inspection of its ladder trucks. Seven failed and were pulled from service. Due to a lack of maintenance, the ladders rusted and had to be sent back to the manufacturer, according to WJLA.com.
“We need to have the appropriate vehicles and tools to do our jobs. And right now, we don’t,” said Dabney Hudson, a D.C. firefighter and Local 36 union representative. “This could impact public safety.”
Violations in the trucks included broken wires, broken bolts and corrosion. The fleet’s 18 of 28 ladder trucks have recently been out of service and response times reflect, according to the report. At full force, the department should have 16 ladder trucks in service and five in reserve.
Over the last six months, the department has had as few as 10 usable trucks, according to the report.
Interim Chief Eugene Jones has instituted a regular in-station maintenance program. More mechanics are being hired and new inspection standards have been adopted.
The chief also said within the next month, the department will receive six new ladder trucks. In the meantime, neighboring fire departments have been alerted of D.C.’s lack of equipment.