N.S. fire department has tires stolen from emergency vehicle

The brazen theft of four tires from an emergency vehicle parked outside a fire hall in Nova Scotia's Pictou County comes with more than a financial cost for the department.

Deputy Chief Jason MacIntyreofthe East River Valley volunteer fire department said the theft, which occurred sometime between Tuesday night and 9 a.m. Wednesday, putpeople's lives in danger.

"I hope it's not someone from our community, but if it is, it's very disheartening," MacIntyresaid Wednesday afternoon.

"We have a really good group of firefighters who are dedicated. And, you know, it hits every one of us. We're all thinking the exact same thing, like who or why?So if it's someone in our community, that makes it that much worse."

Firefighter discovered theft

MacIntyre got a call about the tire theft Wednesday morning after afirefighterspotted the department's emergency SUV without tires and jacked up on blocksoutside the fire hall nearNew Glasgow.

The deputy chiefdescribed the SUV as a vital piece of equipmentused for medical calls, which the department responds to far more often than fires. It's also used for mutual aid with other departments, or blocking off the road after a traffic collision.

Having the vehicle out of commission for the daymeant the department would have to use a larger fire truck, cutting down on thecapacity to help the community.

The stolen set ran about $250 per tire,MacIntyresaid.The department was planning to replace the full set, plus rims, by the end of day Wednesday,which he said would likely cost more than $2,000.

Community offers support

The unforeseen expense meant the department would have to dip into money being saved for a new tanker. Luckily, it seems as though the fire hallwillbe able to make the money back quickly.

MacIntyre said he's gotten dozens of calls and messages from people across the province offering to organize a fundraiser, makefinancial donations even offeringrims and tires of their own.

"It's really nice to see the community spirit is still alive," he said. "It feels really good."

Theft under investigation

Nova Scotia RCMP said Wednesdaythey are investigating the theft.

Cpl. Chris Marshall, a spokesperson for the force, said the last time the tires were seen on the 2010 Ford Expedition was around 9:45 p.m. Tuesday. They are a set of 265-70R17 BFGoodrich all-terrain tires with black rims.

Anyone with information on the tires is asked to call Pictou RCMP or submit a tip to Crime Stoppers.

Meanwhile, MacIntyre has a message for whoever stole the tires.

"If it was them that needed us today, tomorrow or the next day, we would still respond," MacIntyre said.

"Even though they've done this to the fire department, we would still help them if they needed it. That's the type of people we have on our department."