MONDAY: California fire chiefs sound the alarm on rising equipment costs and delays threatening public safety

Jun 18, 2026

Contact: Karina Rodriguez
krodriguez@calcities.org
(916) 317-4199

MEDIA ADVISORY

Sacramento — Fire chiefs throughout the state are meeting with state lawmakers Monday, June 22, at 2:30 p.m. to sound the alarm about skyrocketing fire apparatus costs and years-long equipment delays that are threatening public safety. The informational hearing will convene members of the Assembly Committee on Emergency Management to raise awareness about the crisis and explore potential solutions.

Why this matters
“There are three primary issues: skyrocketing costs, significant delivery delays, and hard‑to‑obtain proprietary parts,” said Cal Cities Fire Chiefs Department President and Napa Fire Chief Zach Curren. “Each of these factors is outside our control, and each has a direct negative impact on the communities we serve."

A Cal Cities survey of fire chiefs found that the cost of fire vehicles has skyrocketed, with some departments seeing a 56% increase in six years. A fire engine that cost a little under $600,000 six years ago now runs close to $1.1 million; ladder trucks that were $700,000 reach upwards of $2 million. Additionally, delivery wait times in California have jumped from 18 months to nearly five years.

Many departments now rely on older, less reliable equipment, increasing risks for firefighters and the public.

Background
Today, three major players control up to 80% of the fire apparatus manufacturing market. City officials in multiple jurisdictions say this has resulted in anticompetitive practices and ultimately, less safe communities.

Emeryville, Fullerton, Los Angeles County and the state, and San Diego are among a growing list of cities nationwide that have filed or joined lawsuits against major manufacturers.

“This isn’t just a Fullerton issue, but an issue that affects every fire department across the country as we all strive to maintain critical infrastructure required to protect our communities without saddling them with unnecessary costs,” said Fullerton Fire Chief Adam Loeser.

The crisis has gained national media attention, including a February 2025 New York Times investigation and a Reuters piece on cities across the nation demanding an antitrust probe.

Informational hearing
Monday, June 22, 2026
2:30 p.m.
State Capitol, Room 127

Participants

  • Zach Curren, Fire Chief, City of Napa
  • Adam Loeser, Fire Chief, City of Fullerton
  • Jon O’Brien, Chief Deputy of Emergency Operations, LA County
  • Garrett Huff, Fire Chief, Santa Barbara County
  • Brian Marshall, State Fire and Rescue Chief, Fire and Rescue Division, California Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES)
  • Jake Sjolund, Deputy Director, Fire Protection Programs, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE)
  • Damon Conklin, Legislative Advocate, League of California Cities
  • Assembly Committee on Emergency Management: Rhodesia Ransom (Chair), Heather Hadwick (Vice Chair), Dr. Joaquin Arambula, Jasmeet Kaur Bains, Steve Bennett, Lisa Calderon, and Carl DeMaio

Watch the livestream or the recording

Established in 1898, the League of California Cities is a nonprofit statewide association that advocates for cities with the state and federal governments and provides education and training services to elected and appointed city officials.

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