The Richmond Fire Department is in critical need of new fire trucks. Fire officials admit an aging fleet has hindered their response.
"When people call us, we are expected to be there, and last year we did have some instances where that delivery of service was compromised," Captain Richard Lewis, Interim Staff Battalion Chief of Administration, admitted.
Lewis told 8News this after city auditors revealed nearly half of the department’s apparatus is more than 20 years old. The audit found out of the department’s 41 fire trucks, 19 were purchased in 1998.
The National Fire Protection Association -- which sets standards and codes for local fire departments -- recommends trucks be replaced at 20 years.