RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — 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.

“When you have the demands that have been placed on our fire our pieces of fire equipment 20 years they well exceeded their service over life,” Lewis explained.The audit found on average 3 to 4 vehicles are out of service every day.

And fire trucks aren’t cheap; they cost between $500,000 and $1.5 million each.

Chief Melvin Carter says Mayor Stoney’s proposed budget does include some funding.

“There has been a proposal in this budget for $3 million for fleet replacement,” Carter said.

We’re told those funds would allow the department to replace 3 to 4 units.

Fire officials say it is urgent council approves that money because the rest of the fleet is aging too; the next batch was purchased in 2007 and 2012.

The city lacks a comprehensive replacement plan for its fire trucks.

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