Ask the Fire Chief: Supply Chain Issues

Fire Chief Herbert Griffin answers your questions about the Raleigh Fire Department and the fire service, just ask.

Question: With the current global supply chain struggle, what impacts has this had on the fire Industry?

Answer: Supply chains are essentially networks that link producers to consumers, often with dozens of steps from beginning to the end. As we have seen over the past two and half years, this process can break down and have severe impacts on fire departments, especially in fast-growing cities such as Raleigh with continuing needs for fire apparatus.

Historically, fire apparatus would take nine to 12 months to design, construct, and deliver to departments. This now takes as long as two to three years. Also, along with the delayed production, fire departments are experiencing a 25-35-percent price increase. Pre-pandemic, a new ladder truck cost slightly under $1 million. Now, a new ladder truck is over $1.6 million with a projected delivery time of 38 months.

The longer delivery times affect fire departments apparatus purchase plans, and older apparatus in the fleet that were projected to be retired and removed from service are still operating on frontlines due to the manufacture delays. The Raleigh Fire Department is looking at creative ways to adapt to what’s becoming a global norm to ensure we have the needed resources to serve our community.