CoP Files Antitrust Lawsuit to Protect Taxpayer Investments

Most commonly referred to as a fire truck, a fire apparatus is an often complex, customized vehicle that is used by fire departments to provide firefighting services. Fire apparatuses provide critical, essential safety services and are an investment made by the City of Pittsburgh and virtually every municipality across the country. 

In the complaint, the City alleges that the consolidation of fire apparatus companies has substantially lessened competition and allows the defendants to dominate the supply of fire apparatuses, reduce output, and cause shortages of apparatuses, delivery delays, and higher prices. Since fire departments need new trucks, replacement parts and equipment for their trucks, the higher prices put a burden on taxpayers locally and nationally. 

“The Pittsburgh Bureau of Fire always shows up when help is needed and it’s our commitment to provide proper equipment to our firefighters, provide emergency services to our communities and ensure our taxpayers’ dollars are being invested properly,” said Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor. “By hiking prices for trucks and replacement parts without competition, the defendants have made it harder for the City of Pittsburgh and other municipalities across the country to make the required investments in lifesaving safety services and put the burden back on our communities.” 

"Firefighters depend on these vehicles every day to protect lives and property,” said Ralph Sicuro, President, Pittsburgh Fire Fighters IAFF Local No. 1. “When the cost of essential fire apparatus is artificially increased, every community pays the price. We support the City's efforts to pursue accountability and ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent fairly, transparently and in a competitive marketplace. Public safety should never become the victim of anticompetitive business practices." 

The lawsuit was filed today in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, Green Bay Division, where multiple defendants have their principal place of business.