The CPSE Center for Innovation Strategic Scan proposes six actionable takeaways related to apparatus purchasing challenges

RESTON, Va. — The Center for Public Safety Excellence’s Center for Innovation released a report Friday detailing fire department leadership perspectives on the state of apparatus purchasing and offering strategic solutions to the ongoing challenges.

The Center for Innovation Strategic Scan explores the extent of cost and lead-time challenges, spotlights issues related to aging fleet and maintenance, and presents concerns from both front-line personnel and from authorities having jurisdiction. The report also highlights how some fire chiefs are using adaptive strategies, such as refurbishing and remounting apparatus, using reserve fleet and modifying run cards, to navigate the situation.

CPSE CEO Preet Bassi noted that apparatus remain one of the most expensive and complex capital purchases for fire departments, and external market factors have made these purchases more challenging in recent years. The issue was front and center during the September 2025 U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing “Sound the Alarm: America’s Fire Apparatus Crisis” along with several national press stories highlighting the challenges.

This Strategic Scan seeks to define the challenge while also providing actionable solutions gathered from the CPSE Community. Specifically, the Strategic Scan proposes six actionable takeaways related to apparatus purchasing:

1. Prioritize proactive capital planning.
2. Evaluate stock apparatus as a strategic alternative to fully custom builds.
3. Extend apparatus service life where feasible through refurbishment and remounting.
4. Engage front-line personnel early in apparatus replacement and maintenance decisions.
5. Strengthen communication with elected officials around cost, timelines, and service life.
6. Consider the use of cooperative purchasing and alternative funding mechanisms.

Strategic Scans are part of the Center for Innovation’s Actionable Research program where CFAI-accredited agencies and CPC Chief Fire Officer designees share how they are navigating critical fire service issues. The first Strategic Scan focused on the role of artificial intelligence in the fire service.

CPSE launched the CPSE Center for Innovation in 2024 to serve as a catalyst for innovation in the fire and emergency service. The CFI’s five program areas — Actionable Research, Expert Finder, Innovation Museum, Innovation Training, and Insight Hub — highlight innovative solutions developed by CFAI-accredited agencies and Commission on Professional Credentialing (CPC) designees, and address an industry-wide gap in evidence-based decision making.

Read more about the launch of the CPSE CFI Strategic Scan on Fire Department Leadership Perspectives on Apparatus Capital Purchasing and download the report.

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