US fire union urges probe into truck makers over soaring costs and delays

The largest firefighters' union in the United States has called on antitrust authorities to investigate the country’s major fire truck manufacturers, warning that industry consolidation is inflating prices and threatening public safety.

In a letter to the Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) accused the industry’s dominant players of stifling competition.

Three companies — REV Group (REVG.N), Oshkosh Corporation (OSK.N), and Rosenbauer (RBAV.VI) — control roughly two-thirds of the US market for fire and emergency vehicles, the union said.

Prices for fire trucks have more than doubled in the past decade, with some ladder trucks now costing up to \$2 million. Meanwhile, some fire departments face delivery delays of up to four years.

"It's really a critical hazard in public safety," IAFF President Edward Kelly said.

The IAFF and antimonopoly group American Economic Liberties Project (AELP) urged the FTC to launch a market study and the DOJ to consider enforcement action.

They warned that inflated costs and long lead times are undermining emergency response capabilities, especially in cities grappling with natural disasters.

Fire departments, they said, are increasingly locked into contracts with “floating” pricing — where final costs can rise after an order is placed.

“We are paying the price for all these corporate decisions,” Kelly said. “It serves the investor well, but it doesn’t serve the public when you call 911 and the ladder truck is out of service.”

A spokesperson for Oshkosh said the company is investing in manufacturing capacity, technology and process improvements to meet growing demand.

REV Group cited labour shortages, inflation, and pandemic-related disruptions as drivers of cost and delay, but said it has boosted production by 30% in two years and launched faster-delivery models.

Rosenbauer said its backlog is shorter than the industry average and that it is also increasing output.

Kelly added that fire departments are experiencing the knock-on effects of consolidation in other areas — from dispatch software to vehicle parts and personal protective equipment.

The IAFF cited recent wildfires in California where dozens of fire trucks were reportedly unavailable, contributing to the deaths of at least 29 people in two communities.