Outraged local firefighters say the vehicle sat idle after emergency call-outs 240 times in the past year because of staff shortages.

They have called in the NSW Fire Brigade Employees Union over the “dangerous situation’’.

Union president Darin Sullivan said the situation was “unacceptable” and wanted the NSW government to “enhance” staffing numbers at Port Macquarie fire station.

There are about 20 full-time and 15 part-time – or retained – firefighters at the station.

“It’s simple money-saving attempts that put the community and lives of firefighters at risk,” Mr Sullivan said.

“I’m very concerned. This is a really dangerous situation.”

It is believed the issue stems from attempts by the state government to close down 33 fire stations across the state to save money, including the station at Port Macquarie.

“In regional areas, back-up is a long way away,” Mr Sullivan said.

“There is no reason why they can’t employ more part-time firefighters and put permanent firefighters on overtime.”

It is now up to a fire truck from Wauchope to respond to blazes in the Port Macquarie area.

It takes much longer to reach Port Macquarie – Wauchope is 26km west of Port – and leaves that town without fire protection or the ability to respond to other accidents in the area.

“This situation is causing considerable distress to local firefighters who are committed to their jobs and community and genuinely feel the staffing shortages at Port are impacting on their ability to protect lives and homes,” Mr Sullivan said.

“They [the NSW Government and NSW Fire Brigades Commissioner Greg Mullins] need to make sure that firefighters in Port Macquarie and the community have the same protection as other communities.”