In a new challenge for U.S. firefighters, fire truck costs are skyrocketing, reaching $2 million, as the largest firefighters’ union rallies for an antitrust investigation.
See the tweet below!
The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) is urging federal antitrust authorities to investigate the fire truck manufacturing sector due to concerns that industry consolidation is endangering public safety.
The IAFF, in conjunction with the American Economic Liberties Project, has sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission.
The letter requests scrutiny of the dominance by three major companies: REV Group, Oshkosh Corporation, and Rosenbauer.
The IAFF argues that the consolidation of these three companies, which control approximately two-thirds of the U.S. market for fire and emergency vehicles, has led to escalating prices.
In the past decade, fire truck prices have doubled, with specialized ladder trucks now reaching a staggering $2 million each.
These price hikes, amid extended delivery backlogs, place intense financial and operational pressure on fire departments across the nation.
The consequence of such consolidation is particularly concerning, with delivery backlogs delaying new fire trucks by up to four years.
As manufacturers attribute rising costs and delays to supply chain issues, increased demand, and inflation, emergency services are faced with longer wait times and variable pricing that can increase costs even after orders are placed.
Such conditions could seriously hinder emergency response efforts, especially in disaster-prone areas like California where wildfires have been a frequent and devastating occurrence.
Fire departments, already burdened by budgetary constraints, are struggling to procure necessary equipment when it’s most needed.
REV Group and Oshkosh have cited labor shortages and increased material costs as significant challenges, with Oshkosh investing in both manufacturing capabilities and technology to better meet demand.
However, these ongoing issues only underscore the urgency for an antitrust examination to determine if market practices are indeed harming public welfare.
With the call for a comprehensive FTC study into the effects of market consolidation on access to critical emergency response components and services, the IAFF is pushing for changes that could potentially foster better competitive practices.
AS FIRE APPARATUS PRICES HIT 2 MILLION – FIREFIGHTERS DEMAND AN ANTITRUST PROBEhttps://t.co/MUGYrgN9zG @IAFFofficial #firefighter #antitrust pic.twitter.com/OIQEFW5WpI
— FirefighterCloseCall (@TheSecretList) May 13, 2025
This, they argue, could not only reduce prices but also expedite production timelines, better aligning supply capabilities with the urgent demands of fire departments nationwide.
The plight of these vital emergency services is a stark reminder of the importance of maintaining competitive practices in essential industries.
By advocating for this crucial antitrust investigation, the IAFF seeks to ensure that safety personnel have access to the equipment they need—without financial strain or dangerous delays.
