Arlington Heights approves $1.32 million for new pumper as fire-vehicle lead times stretch to years

The Village of Arlington Heights Board of Trustees approved a $1,315,800 budget amendment on May 5 to purchase one Pierce Impel pumper engine for the fire department.

Fire Chief Harris told trustees the department faces “extended lead times of 33 months for our ambulances and 51 months for our engines and our trucks,” and said ordering now secures current pricing and a place in manufacturer production queues.

Chief Harris explained the delays to the board, tying them to pandemic-era supply chain disruption, shortages of steel and electronic components, heightened municipal demand, and consolidation in the industry. “Securing 2025 pricing on a 2029 delivery of a fire engine,” he said, “confirms our place in the production queue and helps us be fiscally responsible.”

Trustees asked follow-up questions about manufacturer consolidation and the department’s approach to long lead times; Chief Harris said one conglomerate now controls multiple brands and that preordering is necessary. Trustees thanked staff for planning ahead. The board approved the budget amendment on a roll-call vote with all present voting yes.

The purchase is listed in the village’s vehicle replacement plan and is intended to ensure continuity of emergency response capability. No additional funding sources or implementation schedule beyond the budget amendment were specified at the meeting.

Trustees and staff noted the broader implications: long delivery windows require early procurement decisions and may lock equipment specifications years before delivery, which can complicate technology or configuration choices.

The ordinance directing staff and the village attorney to prepare final documents for the budget amendment will return to a future meeting for formal adoption and final order placement.