Christchurch firefighters are frustrated having to deal with crew shortages and mechanical failures this morning.

A New Zealand Professional Firefighters Union spokesman told Chris Lynch Media the Christchurch aerial appliance isn’t fully crewed today.

The aerial appliance is a vital tool in firefighting, often deployed across the city. It was used to help contain the massive Woolston scrap metal yard fire, among others.

But the frustrations for Christchurch crews didn’t stop there.

Firefighters responded to an incident at Tegal Foods on Carmen Road in Christchurch this morning.

“The incident quickly escalated to a third alarm response before being scaled down.

The Christchurch City Station’s life-saving ladder truck didn’t have enough firefighters today and the Redwood Station’s fire truck is suffering from an intermittent starter motor issue.”

A vitally important rescue truck has also broken down. This appliance carries the ‘Jaws of Life’ all the cutting gear and rescue equipment and is also a regular pumping fire truck too.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said one of Christchurch’s two aerial appliances was short-crewed today but did attend the call-out to the Tegel incident. It was not required to be used.

Mechanics checked the Redwood truck this morning and could not find any fault. A new starter has been ordered as a precaution.”

 The spokesperson said “an auto electrician has checked the rescue tender after a reported issue this morning and did not identify a fault. The vehicle is available for turnout.”