For many fire department leaders, specifying and purchasing fire apparatus can be a very difficult process. Because it’s an infrequent task, many fire chiefs or truck committees are unfamiliar with the processes and procedures that such a project entails.

The purchase of a new piece of fire apparatus represents a significant capital purchase for any fire department. Baseline pumpers start in the neighborhood of $350K to $450K; it doesn’t take long for the price tag on a new piece of aerial apparatus to exceed $800K.

The planning process should start immediately upon a department determining the need to purchase a new piece of fire apparatus. Selecting the right fire apparatus for a department’s needs is a detailed job requiring hours of research.