Racine Fire Department tests refurbishing trucks amid rising costs and long delays
RACINE, Wis. (CBS 58) -- After lawsuits over firetruck delays and rising costs, the Racine Fire Department is trying a different solution -- refurbishing the trucks it already has.
When firetrucks begin to age, departments typically order replacements and wait. Right now, that process can take years.
Racine Fire Department
Several cities in Wisconsin and Michigan have filed a federal lawsuit accusing major firetruck manufacturers of coordinating to limit supply and drive up prices.
While that case moves through the courts, the Racine Fire Department is trying another option.
Instead of waiting years for a new truck, the department is refurbishing one of its reserve firetrucks to see if rebuilding makes more sense.
“They take the truck completely apart, replace any worn or used parts, any wiring that needs to be replaced and then will reassemble the trucks,” said Steve Hansen, Racine Fire Chief.
Hansen said the rising cost of new firetrucks is a major concern.
“We’re being quoted prices upward of $1 million per vehicle.” Hansen said.
He added that outside factors are also contributing to higher prices.
“The 25% tariff on aluminum, which a lot of it comes from Canada, is going to raise the price of vehicles. These firetrucks are probably 75% aluminum,” Hansen said.
Refurbishing also means the department can get a truck back into service much sooner.
“We’re looking at 6–8 months to refurbish a truck versus 3–4 years to receive a new truck,” Hansen said.
The Racine Fire Department has two trucks scheduled for replacement in 2028, along with other expensive equipment that will also need updating. Hansen said saving money on firetrucks could help cover those additional costs.
“Instead of spending $1 million on a fire pumper, spending $300,000 on refurbishing, the additional funding can be used to replace other equipment that goes obsolete in a much shorter time frame,” he said.
If the refurbished truck performs well, Hansen said it could remain in service for an additional 15 years.
“I think we’re going to see more and more of that where we’re refurbishing instead of buying a new one and I think at some point in time even manufacturers are going to have to respect that communities just don’t have the funding as they once did to buy new trucks.”
He believes this approach could become more common for fire departments facing tight budgets.