Firefighters warn fleet issues affecting response

Saint John firefighters said equipment shortages and the city’s aging fire truck fleet have been affecting how they respond to emergencies.

The firefighters’ association said two city fire crews were out of service during last week’s storm because there were no working fire engines available.

Association president Tyler Embree said the department had been forced to use every spare truck as a frontline unit, leaving no backup when engines broke down or went in for maintenance.

“We do not have any spare fire trucks to keep stations properly equipped,” Embree said.

He said the shortage led to situations where firefighters were sent to calls in a half‑ton pickup truck instead of a fire engine.

In another case, he said a spare ladder truck required a temporary workaround to activate part of its equipment.

Embree said crews were being asked to respond without the proper equipment.

“If you’re a carpenter and you show up to build a house without tools, it’s going to be a long day,” he said.

“This has nothing to do with money. This is about protecting the public and giving firefighters the tools they need.”

He said the city’s mechanics are doing everything they can to keep the aging fleet running, but repairs are taking longer, and the trucks are too old to maintain reliably.

Embree emphasized firefighters have raised concerns about the fleet for more than a decade and wanted the city to make emergency purchases to restore reliable service.

He explained that new fire trucks can take more than four years to arrive once ordered, and that delaying procurement has made the situation worse.

Embree said the union also wanted the city to establish a long‑term replacement schedule to prevent similar shortages in the future.

“Firefighters take pride in protecting this city,” he said. “We just need the tools to do it safely.”

City said public safety was not at risk

The City of Saint John said public safety was never compromised during the recent fleet issues.

In a written statement, Fire Chief Rob Nichol said all stations remained staffed and that crews and equipment were moved around to maintain normal emergency response levels.

He said no firefighters were taken out of service, but were assigned differently to ensure coverage.

Nichol said three frontline units were damaged during last week’s storm, and repairs were taking longer because specialized parts were difficult to obtain.

He said the department’s mechanics have been prioritizing fire trucks while also managing winter operations.

The statement said the city has made significant investments in the fire fleet.

A new ladder truck was in the final stages of the RFP process, with a decision expected within weeks.

Work is underway on a tanker truck that was approved in the 2026 capital budget, and discussions on a new engine are ongoing.

Nichol said nearly $5 million in capital funding has been committed to new fire apparatus.

A State of the Fleet Report is expected by July 2026 to outline long‑term procurement plans and replacement schedules.