The group representing unionized firefighters in Saint John is raising the alarm on equipment shortages, alleging two crews were unable to properly respond to calls last weekend because some gear and trucks are out of service.

Resources were so scarce, the Saint John Firefighters Association says crews had to use a pickup truck instead of a fire truck to attend to a call.

Association president, Tyler Embree, says there were no back-ups, and the fleet of operational spare trucks are now mostly being used on the front lines.

He adds at least three other trucks need immediate replacement.

“The ladder truck that is currently stationed uptown (…) takes a broomstick with a screw on the end of it to activate the ladder in order for it to work properly. Those are very concerning for firefigh

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