Latest news with #SteveStein
Yahoo
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fire engine shortage felt nationwide, not just Columbus
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A potential safety issue here in Columbus is being mirrored across the United States. NBC4 Investigates first told you about the Columbus Fire Union raising the alarm on a fire truck shortage: an aging fleet and a need for more funding. Now, we've found that Columbus is one of many cities with this issue, and the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) is asking the Department of Justice to step in. Central Ohio mover claims Texas company stiffed him for work IAFF is asking the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate fire and emergency vehicle manufacturers. NBC4 Investigates is told years-long wait times and increasing costs for fire trucks are hurting cities across the United States, including in Columbus, and the public is having to pay with their tax dollars and, potentially, with their safety. 'When we have equipment beyond its useful life, not only does that jeopardize our firefighters, EMTs and paramedics, it jeopardizes the people who we're trying to help in that moment where every second matters,' Columbus Fire Union President Steve Stein said. The IAFF said the issue was highlighted by the Palisades fire in California. 'In the Palisades fire in L.A., the most expensive fire in the history of the country, we know that there were about 100 pieces of fire apparatus that were out of service,' IAFF General President Edward Kelly said. Plant at center of McArthur chemical leak was site of 2009 fatal explosion, faced previous fines In Columbus, the fire union said a funding shortfall has led to many trucks on the road being past their life expectancy and without any change, the issue is set to get worse. NBC4 Investigates has reported that the union said CFD has been under budget by $7 -$11 million for the past ten years and this has led to the division being very low on trucks. This shortage, combined with Columbus's growth, has increased call volume and put added strain on trucks already past their life cycles. 'I've been in the fire service as a whole just under 20 years, and, you know, I remember when I started, you could get a fully equipped engine for about $370,000. You can barely get an ambulance for that now,' Stein said. Now, the IAFF is hoping a request on the federal level might bring that change. 'Family-owned fire truck manufacturing companies throughout America were bought out by private equity groups trying to monopolize the industry, so now what we've seen happen is things like wait times for a truck to be delivered are now as long as four and a half years,' Kelly said. In a letter to the DOJ and FTC, the IAFF writes: 'We write to urge the antitrust division of the Department of Justice ('DOJ') and the Federal Trade Commission ('FTC') to investigate and take action against consolidation in fire and emergency vehicle manufacturers.' Charges filed in skimmer SNAP thefts The letter states that the consolidation trend of these companies that sell parts and trucks has led to skyrocketing prices over the last ten years and a backlog that means quadrupled wait times for cities to get the trucks they spend millions on. 'These apparatus manufacturers and their suppliers and some of these groups that are controlling that supply chain need to be held accountable,' Stein said. 'Not only are the firefighters being put in jeopardy because of these delays and costs, the taxpayers are footing the bill as well,' Kelly said. In the letter to the DOJ, the IAFF cites a range of cities that have felt the impact, from Evanston, Illinois, to Atlanta, Georgia. Read the full letter below. FINAL2025513LettertoFTCandDOJreFiretrucks_1431113177Download NBC4 reached out to the manufacturers listed in the letter but has not received a response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Concerns escalate over condition of Columbus' fire fleet and division budget
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Columbus fire union is asking the city for help addressing a 'critical' vehicle shortage. Despite years of requests for more funding, Columbus fire union President Steve Stein said the city has not properly maintained the Columbus Division of Fire's (CFD) fleet of vehicles. Stein said the union is drawing a line in the sand now that the vehicle shortage is limiting CFD trainees' ability to properly complete their training. City representatives disagree, saying the fleet is in fine condition. 'When we increase needlessly the risks of this job because of deferred investments and using equipment beyond its useful life, that's unacceptable,' Stein said. Gov. DeWine denies claim of 'anti-LGBTQ+ climate' in Ohio The union is protesting the choice between undertraining recruits or delaying the 122 Class's April 11 graduation, both of which Stein said they would not stand for. He said these difficult decisions should not have to be made because CFD has been alerting the city about fleet concerns for years. Emails sent in 2022 show Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ requesting a budget increase, where he said the average $7.4 million for fleet funding could not keep up with inflation or the growing demands on CFD. Stein said the Chief's office has requested monetary support every year, but unfulfilled requests have reached a 'breaking point.' Stein said even if every vehicle needed was purchased immediately, it would still take years to get them on Columbus' streets. Manufacturing backlogs after COVID-19 have increased wait times from 12 months to up to four years for new vehicles. 'Our people will work as hard as possible to always get the job done for the citizens of Columbus,' Stein said. 'But the reality is, too often we're having to make it work and use work arounds to get the job done.' DOGE claim of saving $1 million at Ohio State doesn't match records City representatives said rising vehicle costs have made them be more carfeul with their money. However, the city said CFD's response time has not been affected by any vehicle concerns. Further, the city said the fleet is in 'relatively good shape.' 'City of Columbus Fire apparatus is in better condition than it has been in many years because of the capital commitments from the administration over the last 10 years,' A Division of Fleet Management spokesperson said. However, maintenance records obtained by NBC4 Investigates show trucks are spending more and more days in the shop. Documents listing apparatus servicing from March 2016 show 409 combined days out of commission for repairs. As of March 2025, the monthly average length of time vehicles are out of service is 584 combined days. 'In some cases, you have equipment that is duct taped together. In other cases, there's pictures where you have a pump panel where the throttle that controls how much water is coming to the fire hose is being held on the truck with a wrench,' Stein said. City representatives said the Division of Fleet Management takes more into consideration than how long vehicles have been in repairs when assessing the state of its fleet. The city also said it just approved six vehicle purchases on March 24, with three more set to be voted on in April. Liv's Law: Harsher drunk driving penalties to take effect in Ohio CFD's Standard Operating Procedures document outlines how many front line and reserve vehicles the city should have. NBC4 Investigates compared these standard procedures with the vehicles listed in CFD's 2024 fleet analysis. When compared side-by-side, CFD appears to be 11 engines, five ladders, three rescues and five medics short as of 2024. Even if the city approved all pending City Council requests, these investments will likely not arrive in Columbus for several years and the fleet would still be short 15 vehicles. Of the vehicles CFD does have, the fleet analysis found 31 medics, 19 fire engines, four ladder vehicles and 11 specialty vehicles need replaced immediately. 'The predictability of this problem, I think, is really what cuts to the frustration our firefighters have, because it has been years the fire administration's been asking for increases in equipment funding, and it hasn't occurred,' Stein said. As Columbus grows, Stein said CFD is under increased demand, further adding to the wear and tear of these vehicles. He's asking the city to come to the table to help address these concerns and publicly acknowledge the crisis. The city said it is proactively seeking funding to replace vehicles but did not echo Stein's concerns. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
