Atlanta firefighter and truck shortages prompt the city to temporarily close 3 fire stations

ATLANTA (AP) — The city of Atlanta has temporarily closed three of its more than 30 fire stations because of truck breakdowns and a shortage of firefighters. Atlanta Fire Rescue Chief Roderick Smith told a city council committee of the closures on Monday. Smith told the committee that the department had 17 fire trucks out of service on Monday, Smith says the number of emergency calls have double compared to last year. The chief says Atlanta has 11 fire vehicles ordered but not delivered because of manufacturing backlogs. Council members are considering a proposal to buy 18 more fire vehicles for $16.4 million. But those trucks might not arrive for as long as three years.