The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is resorting to leasing previously-owned fire trucks and extending the lifespan of older models due to significant delays and rising costs in acquiring new vehicles for the city's firefighters.
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During a recent Community Development committee meeting, CFD Chief Steve Dongworth revealed that after placing orders for new fire engines, the department learned it would take four years for the first one to arrive, with the subsequent unit expected in four-and-a-half years. In the meantime, the CFD is launching its most extensive recruitment campaign in years. New fire stations in Cornerstone and Walden are nearing completion, while upgrades are taking place in Inglewood and Varsity. Dongworth noted the need to equip temporary stations slated for Yorkville, Hotchkiss, Rockland Park, and Keystone.

"Interestingly, we might benefit from some cancellations within the industry due to tariffs, which could mean we receive some trucks sooner than anticipated. However, extended wait times for equipment—including not just trucks but various other tools—are becoming the norm," he explained to city councillors. Dongworth is in discussions with Calgary's supply management team about the ramifications of these delays. "We might need to consider ordering equipment earlier if the supply chain issues persist. This requires us to revise our timelines for managing requests for proposals and ordering equipment, keeping in mind the prolonged delivery times," Chief Dongworth said.
"This situation presents its own challenges." Current documents on the City of Calgary's website indicate that the CFD operates approximately 160 emergency response vehicles. Factors Behind Delays: Some of the largest fire truck manufacturers globally, including Rosenbauer, Oshkosh, Rev Group, and Pierce, are based in North America. Calgary has even piloted a Pierce Volterra electric fire truck stationed in the northwest. In a late 2023 article, Fire Apparatus Magazine highlighted some of the supply chain issues impacting fire truck availability for 2024, including longer lead times for custom chassis compared to commercial versions. The publication mentioned the increasing demand for advanced technology features such as collision avoidance systems, 360-degree cameras, side roll protection, and carcinogen detection systems. Fire departments are also seeking to standardize their fleets and create more compact designs to navigate busy urban environments effectively.

Stricter emissions standards and a shortage of skilled labor are further complicating supply chain issues, alongside challenges with computer chip availability, industry consolidation, and delays in steel procurement, according to Chief Dongworth. While facing these challenges, the CFD has extended the use of certain fire trucks and explored alternative solutions to meet operational needs.
"We're leasing some trucks that don't meet our typical specifications but are more readily available on the market. We've secured four of these trucks to help us get through this transitional period while we adapt our ordering process," he stated. He acknowledged that adjustments in business practices will be necessary given the ongoing situation. As they contend with lengthy lead times, potential tariff increases may also impact the CFD's budget for new trucks.
"We're evaluating the potential effects of tariffs, which could raise costs. This might result in us purchasing fewer trucks than planned. For instance, instead of 20 engines, we may only be able to afford 18," Chief Dongworth explained. For 2025, the Calgary Fire Department's operating budget is set at $271 million, with a capital request of $21 million, including $7.2 million specifically earmarked for fleet replacement.

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