Grave concern about the equipment shortfalls firefighters face

It's been highlighted by news overnight the last of Wellington's large ladder fire trucks is now out of service, after a transmission issue last night.

They're having to borrow a smaller truck from the Hutt Valley - which is used in jobs for the whole Lower North Island.

National Party Deputy Leader Nicola Willis says firefighters have been contacting them about the problems.

She says they haven't had any fleet upgrades, and there are recruitment issues and a lack of quality equipment.