September 10, 2025 – The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Disaster Management, District of Columbia, and Census held a hearing titled “Sounding the Alarm: America’s Fire Apparatus Crisis.” Chaired by Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), with Ranking Member Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ), the hearing examined rising fire apparatus costs, extended delivery timelines, and supply chain challenges affecting fire and emergency medical services (EMS) nationwide.
Jason Shivers, Division Chief of Technical Services for the Forsyth County Fire Department and Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) Emergency Vehicle Management Section (EVMS), testified on behalf of the IAFC, highlighting how these challenges threaten firefighter safety, emergency response capabilities, and community preparedness.
Impact on Fire & EMS Departments
Chief Shivers emphasized the operational and financial challenges departments face as apparatus costs increase and delivery timelines extend, in some cases reaching four years.
These challenges have forced departments to:
- Extend the service life of aging apparatus, increasing maintenance needs and potential safety risks.
- Rely on older reserve vehicles that may lack modern safety features or experience reliability issues.
- Limit mutual aid capabilities due to insufficient available apparatus.
- Delay opening new fire stations because essential emergency response vehicles are unavailable.
- Reduce hiring opportunities as rising apparatus costs place additional pressure on personnel budgets.
IAFC Recommendations and Federal Action
To address the fire apparatus crisis, Chief Shivers urged Congress, federal agencies, and manufacturers to collaborate on solutions that improve vehicle affordability, production, and availability.
Key recommendations include:
- Strengthening supply chains: Prioritize access to essential components, including semiconductors, chassis, and engines, for apparatus manufacturers and Emergency Vehicle Technicians (EVTs).
- Standardizing fire apparatus: Encourage the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), national fire service organizations, and manufacturers to develop standardized apparatus models that reduce costs and delivery times.
- Expanding technician training: Support National Fire Academy programs that help technical colleges train additional EVTs.
- Supporting federal funding: Maintain Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) funding and expand eligible uses to support apparatus refurbishment and EVT staffing.
IAFC’s Continued Efforts
The IAFC Emergency Vehicle Management Section has collaborated with the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association, and other stakeholders to examine the causes of rising apparatus costs and delivery delays.
These collaborative efforts support the development of recommendations for fire departments, manufacturers, and federal policymakers to improve apparatus procurement, fleet management, and long-term emergency response readiness.
Read the full congressional testimony to learn more about the IAFC’s recommendations for addressing America’s fire apparatus crisis.
How Does This Benefit the Fire & EMS Service?
This testimony provides fire and EMS leaders with valuable insights, recommendations, and federal advocacy information to help address apparatus procurement and fleet management challenges.
- Improve fleet planning: Understand vehicle delivery delays and develop proactive replacement schedules to maintain operational readiness.
- Manage rising apparatus costs: Explore standardized or stock apparatus options that may reduce purchasing costs and shorten delivery timelines.
- Extend vehicle service life: Identify opportunities for preventive maintenance, refurbishment, and improved fleet management practices.
- Strengthen budget planning: Support long-term capital planning, equipment replacement strategies, and more informed purchasing decisions.
- Support funding and grant advocacy: Understand IAFC recommendations to expand Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) funding flexibility and support Emergency Vehicle Technician positions through SAFER grants.
- Improve firefighter and EMS safety: Reduce reliance on aging, unreliable apparatus that may lack modern safety features.
- Strengthen federal advocacy: Gain insight into IAFC efforts to address manufacturing challenges, supply chain shortages, and the availability of emergency response vehicles.
Fire apparatus delivery
Up to 4 years
Reported wait times in some cases
Vehicle costs
20–25%
Reported price increases
The testimony explains how delayed deliveries and increased costs can force departments to retain aging apparatus, rely on reserve vehicles, postpone opening new stations, and redirect funding away from personnel and other operational needs.
Who Should Use This Resource?
Fire chiefs, EMS administrators, fleet managers, apparatus purchasing committees, municipal budget officers, emergency vehicle technicians, and policymakers responsible for emergency response equipment and funding.