Fire departments across the U.S. and Canada are waiting years — sometimes four and a half — for new fire trucks, and paying double or triple what those trucks cost five years ago. Two decades of private-equity-driven consolidation have left just three manufacturers controlling more than 70% of the market — the root of today’s fire truck crisis.
The IAFF has led the fight to hold them accountable, and that pressure is now producing federal scrutiny, state investigations, and a growing list of lawsuits.
Here’s how we got here, what’s at stake, and what comes next.
What is the fire truck crisis?
The fire truck crisis — also called the fire apparatus crisis — is the combination of soaring prices and multi-year delivery delays for fire engines, ladder trucks, and ambulances. The average price of a new fire engine has roughly doubled since 2020, and wait times that once ran about 18 months now stretch up to four and a half years. The result: departments keep aging, sometimes unsafe, apparatus in service far longer than they should.
How did the fire truck crisis start?
Three forces collided:
- Private-equity consolidation. Over roughly two decades, firms such as American Industrial Partners rolled up once-independent manufacturers into a handful of giants. Today, three companies — REV Group, Oshkosh (which owns Pierce), and Rosenbauer — control more than 70% of U.S. production.
- A pandemic-era order surge. In 2021–2022, federal COVID relief funds flowed to local governments, many of which ordered new apparatus at once. That created a backlog the industry still hasn’t cleared.
- Less competition, more pricing power. With fewer independent builders, departments soliciting bids increasingly see strikingly similar proposals — and prices that move in only one direction.
Why are fire trucks so expensive now?
The numbers tell the story. According to IAFF testimony before the U.S. Senate:
- A fire engine that cost about $589,000 in 2020 runs close to $1.1 million in 2025.
- Ladder trucks now reach $2 million.
- Ambulance prices have climbed too — one major REV-owned manufacturer’s quote to an IAFF Local rose 56% in six years.
- Some manufacturers have introduced “floating prices,” letting them raise the cost of a truck before it’s even delivered.
For most cities, a single apparatus topping $1 million competes with every other line item in a tight municipal budget — which means aging trucks go unreplaced.
How long does it take to get a new fire truck?
What was once roughly an 18-month process now commonly takes two to four-plus years, with some orders quoted at four and a half years. Departments are bridging the gap by keeping decades-old trucks running, buying used apparatus, and pulling reserve units into frontline service — all of which raise maintenance costs and safety risks.
Why is this a public safety issue?
Aging and failing apparatus puts both fire fighters and the public at risk. In Senate testimony, IAFF General President Edward Kelly pointed to real consequences — including a Chicago fire where a ladder truck’s aerial device failed during attempted rescues, contributing to critical delays. When the right truck isn’t available or breaks down, response suffers.
Fire fighters need modern, reliable equipment to keep our communities protected. Departments are waiting years and paying double for essential equipment. That’s unacceptable, and it’s putting lives at risk.
IAFF General President Edward Kelly
How is the IAFF fighting back?
The IAFF has been on the front lines of this issue from the start:
- Calling for a federal investigation. In May 2025, the IAFF and the American Economic Liberties Project sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission urging formal investigations into market consolidation.
- Testifying before Congress. In September 2025, General President Edward Kelly testified before the U.S. Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Disaster Management, warning that “this market manipulation has created a clear and present danger.”
- Documenting the damage. The IAFF continues to collect firsthand accounts from affiliates hit by delays and price hikes, building the evidentiary record that government action depends on.
What’s happening now — investigations and lawsuits?
The IAFF’s early pressure helped open the door to government action, with investigations and antitrust lawsuits now spreading. As of mid-2026:
- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation, issuing Civil Investigative Demands to the three manufacturers.
- Los Angeles County and Milwaukee have filed antitrust lawsuits alleging price-fixing, supply suppression, and illegal consolidation.
- Baltimore joined the litigation in June 2026, with cases expected to be consolidated in federal court.
- Bipartisan senators — including Josh Hawley, Andy Kim, Elizabeth Warren, and Jim Banks — have pressed manufacturers for answers.
Manufacturers including REV Group and Pierce have denied wrongdoing, attributing delays to post-pandemic labor and supply-chain problems.
How can IAFF members help?
Affiliates affected by apparatus delays or price increases can share their story at iaff.org/apparatus-form. Documented, real-world examples strengthen the case for accountability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are fire trucks so expensive right now?
Market consolidation has left three manufacturers controlling more than 70% of U.S. fire apparatus production. With limited competition, fire engine prices have roughly doubled since 2020 — from about $589,000 to over $1 million — and ladder trucks now reach $2 million.
How long does it take to get a new fire truck in 2026?
Delivery commonly takes two to four years, and some orders are quoted at up to four and a half years — far longer than the roughly 18-month timeline departments used to expect.
Who makes most of the fire trucks in the United States?
Three companies — REV Group, Oshkosh (which owns Pierce), and Rosenbauer — control more than 70% of U.S. fire apparatus production after about two decades of private-equity-driven consolidation.
What is the IAFF doing about the fire truck crisis?
The IAFF called for a federal investigation in May 2025, testified before the U.S. Senate in September 2025, and continues to document affiliate impacts. Its pressure helped prompt the state investigations and antitrust lawsuits now underway.
Are there lawsuits over fire truck prices?
Yes. Los Angeles County, Milwaukee, and Baltimore have filed antitrust lawsuits against the major manufacturers, and Texas has opened a state investigation. More municipalities are considering legal action.
