IAFF warns congress of fire apparatus 'monopoly' threatening safety and budgets
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The International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) has issued a strong warning to Congress about a growing monopoly in the U.S. fire apparatus industry, which it says is driving up costs and delaying deliveries—putting firefighter safety and public protection at risk.
In testimony before the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee, IAFF General President Edward Kelly criticized the consolidation of manufacturers, noting that just three companies—REV Group, Oshkosh, and Rosenbauer—now control over 70% of the market. Kelly said this has led to fire engine prices exceeding $1 million and ladder trucks reaching $2 million, with delivery times stretching up to 4.5 years.
“This market manipulation has created a clear and present danger,” Kelly told lawmakers, blaming private equity-driven consolidation for the crisis. He cited a recent incident in Chicago where a stalled ladder truck delayed a rescue operation—yet the same vehicle remains in service months later.
Senators Josh Hawley and Andy Kim challenged manufacturers’ claims that inflation and pandemic-related disruptions were to blame. Hawley accused companies of deliberately creating backlogs to boost profits, calling it “a heist.”
The IAFF is urging the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to investigate the industry, while lawmakers including Senators Jim Banks and Elizabeth Warren have launched a bipartisan inquiry into private equity’s influence on fire apparatus procurement.
For fire departments across the country, the consequences are real: outdated vehicles, strained budgets, and compromised emergency response. As Kelly put it, “We need to stop this now, and this committee is on the right track.”
You can read the full article on the International Fire and Safety Journal