The cost of fire apparatus has risen significantly in recent years because of a combination of material price volatility, evolving regulations, increased demand, and the complexity of custom-built vehicles. Understanding these underlying factors can help address the confusion and misinformation about pricing that is circulating in the media and can provide important context to better address today’s pricing challenges through collaborative solutions.

MATERIALS

In most fire apparatus procurements, the purchase price is set at contract award and must account for expected input costs over the manufacturing window, which can be affected by the market conditions for labor and materials at the time of order.

Historically, labor and material costs have risen at stable rates that manufacturers could estimate with a reasonable degree of confidence. Recently, however, labor and material prices have been impacted by a confluence of factors, including the Pandemic, inflation, and tariffs, which make it difficult for apparatus manufacturers and component suppliers to reliably project future costs.

Material costing started to impact fire apparatus and component manufacturers in 2018 when tariffs on steel and aluminum were first introduced. The shortage of microchips needed to manufacture vehicles that followed in 2022 further drove up costs and slowed production lines dramatically.

In the case of aluminum—a major material used for apparatus manufacturing—Graph 1 shows that the price has risen from $1.18/pound in January 2024, to $1.41/pound in January 2025, and up to $1.72/pound in June 2025, reflecting an increase of 19.5% over the initial 12 months and more than 45% over the 18-month period. This rapid rise in aluminum pricing represented at the far right of Graph 1 is largely a result of recently announced aluminum tariffs, and the full impact of this increase has not yet worked its way into the market. The United States produces less than 1% of the primary aluminum produced worldwide, so it relies on imports, which means the tariffs will continue to influence aluminum costs.

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Steel is the other commonly used material for manufacturing fire apparatus and components, and the United States imports approximately 25% of the steel used here. Tariffs on steel also add to manufacturing costs.

REGULATION

The most recent round of EPA regulations mandated changes to engines manufactured after January 1, 2027. These changes had impacts to not only fire apparatus design, but also pricing. Truck manufacturers had to take into account the additional costs of not only the new engine, but also the engineering costs associated with modifying truck chassis and bodies to accommodate the new engine designs and syste

The Town of Emerald Isle (NC) ordered two new pumpers and two new ambulances for the fire department recently, wcti12.com reported.

The department expects to have these new emergency apparatus in service by spring 2026, the report said.

The new apparatus will replace a 2004 pumper and a 2009 pumper. The new ambulances will replace a 2010 model and a 2015 model.

The total cost of each new pumper is approximately $876,000, while each new ambulance has a total cost of approximately $322,000, according to the report.

The town is utilizing FEMA funding received following Hurricane Florence for the purchase of all four new vehicles.

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The Lodi (CA) Fire Department celebrated its brand-new 2025 tractor-drawn aerial truck with a Push-In Ceremony Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, at Fire Station 1, marking an important milestone in the department’s continued commitment to protecting the community, the city said in a press release.

The new ladder truck, a 2025 Pierce Ascendant 107-foot tiller, is powered by a 500-horsepower (hp) engine, and measures 60 feet 9 inches in length and 11 feet 2 inches in height. The truck comes equipped with the latest in advanced firefighting technology. Designed for both power and agility, its extended ladder reach and enhanced maneuverability will allow firefighters to access tight city streets as well as tall commercial structures throughout Lodi.

The purchase of the truck was approved in Fiscal Year 2022, with the truck arriving to Lodi from Wisconsin just a couple of weeks ago. The total cost was approximately $2.179 million for the truck itself, along with $168,000 for equipment and mounting. Battalion Chief Roger Varwig oversaw the build process to ensure the apparatus met the department’s operational needs.

This apparatus represents a major investment in the department’s ability to keep the community safe, allowing firefighters to respond to emergencies in both residential neighborhoods and larger commercial areas with greater reach, speed, and efficiency.

Specifications

Chassis	Enforcer™
Body	Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder
Actual Overall Height	11′ 2″
Engine	Cummins X12
Horsepower	500 hp
Front Suspension	TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
Rear Suspension	Air
Electrical System	Command Zone™
Generator	Harrison Hydraulic
Generator KW	10 kW

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The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is providing vital new tools to those who keep communities safe. The WPS Foundation is awarding $75,000 to help local first responders purchase lifesaving equipment and strengthen public safety as part of its Rewarding Responders Grant program.

“We are honored to continue our support of public safety agencies and the invaluable impact they make in our communities every day,” said Beth Straka, president — WPS Foundation. “The important tools we help provide our first responders — from vital medical devices to heavy-duty equipment — can be critical in keeping people and our communities safe.”

Including this year’s grants, the WPS Foundation has now donated more than $675,000 to help police, fire and emergency medical services agencies improve public safety across north-central and northeast Wisconsin.

Supporting safety and service to communities

WPS focuses on safety for its employees, customers and communities every day. The WPS Foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant program supports the agencies that also are committed to keeping everyone safe. The grants help local first responders purchase lifesaving equipment or training that allows their members to improve public safety.

This year’s grant recipients include the Suamico Fire Department and Life Link III, the air medical transport agency in Wisconsin’s Northwoods region. The Suamico Fire Department used its grant to purchase a new water rescue basket, while Life Link III used its grant to acquire a new infusion pump for its medical aircraft.

“Our mission includes a commitment to our community, and this grant gives us a tool to strengthen that commitment,” said Joe Bertler, fire chief — Suamico Fire Department. “This water rescue basket will be used frequently in training for water rescues on the Bay of Green Bay. Building up our department’s knowledge and skill sets through training is vital for efficient water rescue operations when emergencies happen.”

“We are honored to receive this generous grant from the WPS Foundation, and deeply appreciate their commitment to supporting emergency response organizations,” said Josh Howell, CEO — Life Link III. “The funding will allow us to acquire a new Sapphire pump, which plays a vital role in ensuring safe and accurate medication delivery to critically ill patients during air medical transport. This investment directly enhances our ability to provide high-quality care to the communities we serve, including those in and around Rhinelander.”

Grant recipients

The 2025 grant recipients include:

• Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue Department — Confined space rescue tripod
• Brown County Sheriff’s Office — Water rescue tools and equipment
• Calumet County Emergency Management — Safety vests
• City of Brillion Police Department — Automated external defibrillator (AED)
• City of Two Rivers Fire Department — Water rescue wetsuits
• Community Ambulance Service Inc. — Emergency patient care equipment
• Crandon Police Department — Battery-powered rescue saw
• Edgar Volunteer Fire Department — Emergency alert pagers
• Egg Harbor Fire Department — Emergency scene safety lighting and equipment
• Forest County Sheriff’s Department — Rescue saws
• Friends of Townsend Fire — Gas detector
• Gibraltar Police Department — Aerial drone equipment
• Kewaunee Fire Department Auxiliary — Gas detectors
• Kiel Fire Department — Gas detector
• Lakewood Volunteer