Senate Subcommittee Investigates Fire Apparatus Industry Monopoly Impact on Public Safety
September 10, 2025 | Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation
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A critical government meeting on September 10, 2025, spotlighted a looming crisis in the fire apparatus industry, with alarming implications for public safety. Key testimonies revealed that a small group of manufacturers, particularly the Rev Group and Pierce Manufacturing, have monopolized the market, leading to skyrocketing prices and extensive delays in fire truck deliveries.
Chief Reuben Kelly, representing the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), emphasized the dire consequences of this corporate consolidation. He noted that the price of fire engines has surged, crippling municipal budgets and endangering lives. "The time from contract execution to delivery has stretched into staggering delays," Kelly stated, highlighting that some fire departments are forced to operate outdated equipment, which can lead to tragic outcomes. He recounted a harrowing incident where a malfunctioning fire truck resulted in the death of a firefighter, underscoring the real-world dangers posed by the current market conditions.
Basil Musharbush, an antitrust attorney, echoed these concerns, revealing that the cost of fire trucks has doubled over the past decade, with wait times extending from 12 months to over three years. He criticized the monopolistic practices of Rev Group and Pierce, which have effectively eliminated competition and driven up prices. "They appear to have transformed a once vibrant industry into a racket designed to flagrantly profiteer off of shortages and backlogs of life-saving equipment," Musharbush asserted.
The testimonies called for urgent action from federal authorities to investigate and restrain these monopolistic practices. Proposed measures include a public inquiry by the Federal Trade Commission to shed light on the industry's opaque operations and to identify barriers hindering smaller manufacturers. The need for legislative reforms to strengthen antitrust enforcement was also highlighted as a crucial step to restore competition and protect public safety.
As the meeting concluded, both Kelly and Musharbush expressed readiness to collaborate with the subcommittee to address these pressing issues. The implications of this crisis extend beyond financial burdens; they pose a significant threat to the safety of firefighters and the communities they serve. The urgency for reform in the fire apparatus industry has never been clearer.
Chief Reuben Kelly, representing the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF), emphasized the dire consequences of this corporate consolidation. He noted that the price of fire engines has surged, crippling municipal budgets and endangering lives. "The time from contract execution to delivery has stretched into staggering delays," Kelly stated, highlighting that some fire departments are forced to operate outdated equipment, which can lead to tragic outcomes. He recounted a harrowing incident where a malfunctioning fire truck resulted in the death of a firefighter, underscoring the real-world dangers posed by the current market conditions.
Basil Musharbush, an antitrust attorney, echoed these concerns, revealing that the cost of fire trucks has doubled over the past decade, with wait times extending from 12 months to over three years. He criticized the monopolistic practices of Rev Group and Pierce, which have effectively eliminated competition and driven up prices. "They appear to have transformed a once vibrant industry into a racket designed to flagrantly profiteer off of shortages and backlogs of life-saving equipment," Musharbush asserted.
The testimonies called for urgent action from federal authorities to investigate and restrain these monopolistic practices. Proposed measures include a public inquiry by the Federal Trade Commission to shed light on the industry's opaque operations and to identify barriers hindering smaller manufacturers. The need for legislative reforms to strengthen antitrust enforcement was also highlighted as a crucial step to restore competition and protect public safety.
As the meeting concluded, both Kelly and Musharbush expressed readiness to collaborate with the subcommittee to address these pressing issues. The implications of this crisis extend beyond financial burdens; they pose a significant threat to the safety of firefighters and the communities they serve. The urgency for reform in the fire apparatus industry has never been clearer.
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