While there's an engine in the Englewood fire station, there isn't an aerial.
That's because there isn't one available.
The repair shop that takes up more than a city block is filled with ambulances, trucks and fire engines, abc 7 reported.
"It's inconceivable. I've been doing this for 37 years and have never heard of running our of rigs. We're one of the larger fire departments in the country and we don't have enough rigs to fill our firehouses," Patrick Cleary, IAFF Local President said.
Meanwhile, there are several other fire stations in Alderman William Hall's 6th Ward, which also don't have any trucks. Hall said this is a budget issue.
"This is a problem.The lack of investment in fleet over the years has finally caught up with us," Hall said.
Union officials said the city is in violation of their contract by failing to have the minimum number of trucks in service, and they believe it is creating a dangerous situation for citizens and firefighters.
"You're risking people's lives," Cleary said, adding that firefighters depend of ladder crews to ventilate the building.
