Emergency Response Challenges
“9-1-1. What is your emergency?”
When a crisis strikes, Americans in cities and rural areas rely on firefighters and EMTs, usually just a call away. However, rising costs for fire trucks and longer wait times are prompting fire departments nationwide to struggle to respond effectively, often putting public safety at risk.
“In the past five years, profits skyrocketed to $250 million. Yet, equipment is unaffordable!”
The core issue seems to have roots in the significant consolidation of fire equipment manufacturers almost two decades ago. A report noted that this merger “effectively created a duopoly,” significantly hindering competition. Leaders like Kansas City Fire Chief Dennis Rubin and retired New Haven Battalion Chief Frank Rich, who collectively have over six decades of experience, emphasize this point.
This situation has drawn attention from lawmakers across party lines. On April 3, 2025, U.S. Senate Disaster Management Subcommittee Chairman Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Ranking Member Andy Kim (D-N.J.) reached out to executives from Rev Group, Oshkosh Corporation, and Rosenbauer, companies that dominate the fire truck market.
In recent months, multiple antitrust lawsuits have surfaced against these companies. Senator Hawley highlighted in court that there seems to be a pattern of intentionally delaying order fulfillment, which keeps demand and prices unnaturally high. For instance, a few years back, Rev Group had a fire equipment backlog worth around $1 billion, with expected waiting periods of 12 to 18 months. Now, that backlog has ballooned, with wait times extending to two to three years.
“You’ve seen profits grow to $250 million, but no one can access the equipment!” Senator Hawley expressed frustration during a September hearing.
“These corporations leverage their market power to inflate prices, limit supply, and create hazardous inventory situations for firefighting equipment,” he stated, which was echoed by Senator Elizabeth Warren from Massachusetts.
Even if fire departments manage to acquire new equipment, it lacks significant technological advancement, according to the lawmakers’ letter.
Rubin and Rich highlighted the real-world consequences of market manipulation. In the summer of 2023, a shortage of pump-equipped fire engines in Kansas City forced firefighters to make do with SUVs and borrowed brush trucks that weren’t properly equipped.
“The Kansas City Fire Department has faced multiple setbacks due to insufficient fire truck repair parts. This simply cannot continue,” Chief Rubin remarked, sharing his experience from other major cities like Atlanta and Washington, D.C.
“The implications are tangible, impacting our ability to serve our community to the standard they expect,” added former East Haven Deputy Chief P.J. Norwood.
“It’s unacceptable for private equity to disrupt efficient market operations.”
An Oshkosh representative attributed price hikes and order delays to supply chain issues and more bespoke requests stemming from COVID-19 impacts. They noted, “Customizing a fire engine can take between 2,000 to 7,000 hours, depending on the customer’s needs.”
They recognized lead time challenges early on and stated they are making historic investments to improve processes. “We understand our clients need faster delivery, and we’re determined to meet their expectations,” said Oshkosh’s VP of sales, Dan Meyer.
Rubin and Rich acknowledged that custom requests are a challenge but advocated for a standardized production approach with dedicated lines tailored for varying community needs. They also suggested that state and local governments revamp procurement policies to eliminate unfair practices that inflate costs.
Yet, they persist in seeing limited competition among manufacturers as the fundamental issue.
“American manufacturing should thrive on competition and merit, devoid of monopolistic maneuvers,” Rich stated.
Yankee Institute President Carol Pratt Liebau added, “There’s nothing inherently wrong with profit, but it’s problematic when private equity distorts market efficiency, impacting fire departments’ ability to operate fairly. If Congress won’t ask tough questions, the burden falls on taxpayers.”
Neither Rev Group, Rosenbauer, nor Senator Kim’s office responded to requests for comments. Senator Hawley’s office redirected inquiries to his statements made during the September hearing.
