January 10, 2013
CAHORS, France (AFP) - Volunteer firefighters in a southern French village are complaining after the new truck they received -- at a cost of 250,000 euros ($326,000) -- turned out too wide for its narrow streets.
The firefighters have complained to local authorities in the town of Montcuq about the truck ordered by regional officials.
"In some neighbourhoods, we will not be able to get through and will have to unroll the hoses to gain access to the location of a fire," one of the firefighters told newspaper La Depeche du Midi.
The firefighters said the truck was designed for use in urban environments and not the winding streets of Montcuq, a picturesque village of about 1,300 residents that was founded in the 12th century.
Local mayor Yves Lagarde backed up the firefighters' complaints, saying that "most are volunteers but they know what they are talking about." He said local officials were also not happy with the purchase and were not properly consulted.
