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Board backs exploring antitrust and statewide action on fire apparatus supply delays
Summary
The supervisors unanimously directed staff to explore legal and advocacy options — including statewide and national coordination, outreach to justice officials and potential affirmative litigation on antitrust grounds — after firefighters and chiefs warned of multi-year delays and rising costs for fire engines.
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously April 9 to direct the chief administrative officer and county counsel to explore legal and advocacy responses to apparent market consolidation in the fire apparatus supply chain.
Supervisor Tara Lawson Reamer said firefighters across the county reported waits of three to four years for new fire engines — where deliveries once took 12 to 14 months — leaving crews to operate aging apparatus that can break down, overheat in desert conditions and lack modern safety features.
Lawson Reamer told the board the county should consider antitrust and affirmative litigation strategies similar to past county actions against opioid manufacturers and ghost‑gun suppliers. The board’s motion as adopted specifically directs staff to evaluate statewide and national joint efforts, outreach to justice officials and “affirmative litigation strategies.” The motion also adds a board resolution request asking the California Public Safety Committee to hold hearings and take action.
Board members and fire officials emphasized outreach and evidence-gathering. Andrew staff and counsel told the board potential affirmative litigation would likely be structured on contingency, as the county’s recent affirmative suits have been, to limit direct county budget exposure. County counsel said an injunction to restore competition would be the probable remedy; recovery of fees or damages would depend on the nature of any case and required additional analysis.
Members of the public and firefighters pressed the board for action. Dozens of callers and in‑person speakers supported the measure, including local union officials and CAL FIRE representatives who described safety risks from aging rigs and delayed replacement parts. Firefighters said private-equity consolidation has reduced manufacturer competition, driven up prices and extended delivery schedules.
Supervisor Joel Anderson urged caution because of the county’s fiscal condition and suggested the county also seek state and federal assistance. Lawson Reamer accepted adding explicit language seeking statewide and federal engagement and an open-session resolution to the motion. The board instructed staff to return to the board in closed session with ongoing updates every 90 days.
Why this matters: Multi-year delivery delays and rapidly rising prices for fire apparatus can affect response reliability, crew safety and long-term budget commitments for fire agencies across San Diego County and other jurisdictions.
Next steps: The CAO and county counsel will research legal options, coordinate with other counties or the state as appropriate, and report back to the board on a 90‑day schedule. If litigation is pursued it would follow the contingency model the county has used in other affirmative suits, county counsel said.
