A federal and multi-state investigation has begun into the nationwide shortage of new fire trucks and ambulances.
What used to be an 18-month delivery on fire and emergency-medical apparatus is now nearly five years.
The average price of a new fire engine has also roughly doubled since 2020, from $600,000 to $1.1 million.
The International Association of Firefighters brought what it describes as a crisis to the attention of federal lawmakers, who agreed to investigate.
The association also claims that old equipment not being replaced has become a safety hazard for first responders.
“Firefighters need modern, reliable equipment to keep our communities protected,” said association president Edward Kelly. “Departments are waiting years and paying double for essential equipment. That’s unacceptable, and it’s putting lives at risk.”
At the heart of the emergency-vehicle shortage for cities and towns across America is a limited number of companies now building fire trucks and ambulances.
There are now just three manufacturers controlling more than 70 percent of the market whereas there used to be multiple companies making the vehicles.
Congress at the association’s request has begun looking into possible price-fixing and corporate monopolization by the remaining few companies making fire trucks and ambulances.
The association claims the fire-manufacturing industry has seen “two decades of private-equity-driven consolidation.”
Kelly says the association’s insistence at government intervention has helped open the door to investigations and antitrust lawsuits.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation, demanding answers from the three current manufacturers.
Los Angeles County and Milwaukee have filed antitrust lawsuits alleging price-fixing, supply suppression, and illegal consolidation.
Baltimore joined the litigation this month, with cases expected to be consolidated in federal court.
