Dozens of Cities and Counties Sue Fire Truck Makers Over Soaring Costs, Delivery Delays

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A decades-old pumper truck owned by the Providence Fire Department in Rhode Island, where it’s used for events and ceremonies. Providence is one of dozens of cities accusing fire truck manufacturers of conspiring to suppress the supply of trucks, raising prices and driving up delivery times. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)

A decades-old pumper truck owned by the Providence Fire Department in Rhode Island, where it’s used for events and ceremonies. Providence is one of dozens of cities accusing fire truck manufacturers of conspiring to suppress the supply of trucks, raising prices and driving up delivery times. (Photo by Janine L. Weisman/Rhode Island Current)

In the summer of 2023, a third of the fire engines owned by the fire department in Kansas City, Kansas, were unusable. Five of 15 pumper trucks were out of commission, and the department was waiting on parts from the manufacturer.

So Kansas City fire officials went on a nationwide hunt for trucks. But their frantic search turned up just four they could buy immediately, and the vehicles were designe…