In a concerning development, fire truck prices are soaring, causing an uproar and an investigation call from the largest firefighters’ labor union in the United States.
See the tweet below!
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is calling on federal antitrust authorities to investigate the fire truck manufacturing sector.
The union worries that market consolidation threatens public safety as high costs and long wait times plague fire departments.
IAFF is pushing for an investigation into three giants—REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation, and Rosenbauer—that control about two-thirds of the U.S. market for fire and emergency vehicles.
Their dominance is perceived as a blockade to fair pricing and timely access to essential equipment.
With fire truck prices doubling over the past decade, ladder trucks now cost up to a staggering $2 million each.
The union, along with the American Economic Liberties Project, has urged the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to scrutinize this oligopoly.
They argue the monopolistic behavior puts immense strain on fire departments, raising serious concerns for emergency response, particularly in areas vulnerable to disasters like California.
Delivery backlogs add another layer of complexity, with departments waiting up to four years for new trucks.
Consequently, the variable pricing agreements often lead to surging costs even after purchase orders are placed.
Fire truck manufacturers point to supply chain challenges, increased demand, and inflation as culprits for these delays and rising costs.
Oshkosh, for instance, is enhancing manufacturing capabilities and technology to meet demand but cites labor and material shortages as significant hurdles.
Meanwhile, the IAFF emphasizes that present market conditions threaten emergency response operations.
Reference is made to the recent California wildfires as a grave reminder of the stakes involved.
Fire departments can ill afford long delays and high costs when lives are on the line.
The IAFF proposes a thorough FTC study on how market consolidation affects emergency response solutions.
America’s firefighters deserve better support and resources, not headaches over soaring equipment prices.
🔥The #IAFF demands a federal antitrust investigation into fire truck manufacturers, saying industry consolidation has led to skyrocketing costs and years-long delays.
"It's really a critical hazard in public safety." – @iaffpresident
From @Reuters:https://t.co/8T2cwRbEpK
— International Association of Fire Fighters (@IAFFofficial) May 13, 2025
