Old Equipment Worries Firefighters

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Story Published: Jan 30, 2010 at 7:01 PM PST

By Ryan Simms

YAKIMA -- These days, firefighters' biggest battle isn't against flames,-but against aging equipment and a lack of money.

For firefighters like Adrian Demestre, routine maintenance isn't just an option, but a necessity.

"We want to do our job, and the rigs get us there," he says.

But with inadequate funding and budget shortfalls, "getting there" isn't so easy. These days, Demestre and other local firefighters are relying on trucks that should have been retired five years ago.

One truck was manufactured in 1987. Meanwhile, three other rigs are 19-years-old.

Demestre tells Action News some trucks are so old they constantly rattle and shake.

As a result, nearly half the fleet could be out of service at any given time.

"That puts us at the absolute bare minimum," says Deputy Chief Bob Stevens. "If one more (truck) goes out of service, we'll be unable to send an engine to an emergency."

To fix the problem of aging trucks, fire officials are making their case to Yakima's city council. They've also been looking into voter initiatives and fire bonds. But for now, Demestre and other firefighters will have to deal with more shifts and more maintenance.

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