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Commission amends and approves rolling stock report, urges economic development outreach
Summary
The commission approved a final rolling stock report documenting long lead times and costs for emergency vehicles, and it adopted an amendment recommending the body send an exhortation to the Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) to encourage manufacturers to locate or expand in Tennessee.
The commission approved a final report on rolling stock and added an amendment urging the Department of Economic and Community Development to explore incentives for manufacturing vehicles and vehicle components that governments increasingly need.
Jennifer Berry, research director, presented the final Rolling Stock report, describing interviews with more than 30 officials and concluding that global supply-chain issues and industry consolidation have produced long procurement delays and large price increases for fire trucks, ambulances and other specialized vehicles. She said the report outlines adaptation strategies governments are currently using — including extended maintenance, leasing, and modifications such as private EMS firms retrofitting vans to serve as ambulances — and recommends steps to improve procurement flexibility.
Members described lengthy lead times in their jurisdictions. ‘‘The average lead time for acquiring a ladder truck right now is 57 months,’’ one member said, underscoring the urgency for alternative strategies. Representative Williams moved an amendment asking the commission to send a letter of exhortation to the commissioner of Economic and Community Development recommending that office solicit and incentivize manufacture or relocation of firms capable of producing these vehicles. The motion was seconded and carried by voice vote.
After debate and the amendment’s adoption, the commission approved the final rolling stock report by voice vote and directed staff to add the amendment language to the published report.
Why it matters: municipalities and counties across Tennessee report that procurement delays for emergency and specialized vehicles are affecting public services. The amendment asks state economic development officials to consider whether incentives or recruitment could alleviate supply constraints by growing in-state production capacity.
Next steps: staff will incorporate the amendment language into the report and the chair asked staff to explore follow-up discussions with ECD and other state partners.
