FAMA Releases Fire Apparatus Industry Update
Ocala, FL, June 17, 2025 – The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) is a non-profit trade association dedicated to improving the quality of the fire apparatus industry and emergency services community. FAMA members manufacture and sell safe, efficient fire apparatus and equipment.
Founded in 1946, FAMA membership has grown to approximately 135 companies, currently including 55 manufacturers of fire apparatus and associated emergency response vehicles. All FAMA members produce apparatus or components for fire apparatus for domestic and export markets at facilities in the United States and Canada.
FAMA aims to advance and protect the interests of the fire and emergency services community by leveraging the resources of its member companies. FAMA members collaborate with national and international fire service and fire industry organizations. They contribute to the development of safety and performance standards, programs, and objectives for improving fire apparatus and equipment. FAMA also provides essential tools and information to the fire and emergency services community, promoting the need for newer and safer apparatus.
Key to FAMA’s success is the work done in eleven committees. Among the more active:
- The Governmental Affairs Committee (GAC) works with strategic partners in the fire service to advocate for effective funding and legislation at the state and federal levels. For over 20 years, the GAC has been instrumental in establishing and enhancing the Assistance to Firefighter Grants (AFG) and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) programs.
- The Data and Research Committee overseas collection and presentation of the most comprehensive data set in the industry. The data helps to monitor and understand trends in the fire service.
- The Technical Committee, including the 8 sub-committees, provides technical guidance on all key aspects and systems on apparatus. In addition, this committee provides liaison on seven NFPA committees.
Although FAMA does not directly determine standards, by working with the NFPA, FAMA members assist in the research and development of performance-based minimum standards for fire apparatus and equipment. Throughout its history, FAMA has supported research required for the development of fire products, equipment, and fire truck safety, including the most recent development of a slip resistant test for material surfaces.
The following graph shows the relative levels of Booked and Shipped orders (fire apparatus) over the period from 2011 to 2024. Following disruptions associated with the great financial crisis of 2008 – 2010, the fire service experienced a period of relative stability in terms of numbers of units ordered and shipped. The graph below shows both Booked and Shipped orders for the Pre-Pandemic period extending from 2011 to 2019. The average baselines for this period show as the dotted lines across the width of the graph.
Disruptions brought on by the COVID Pandemic, most specifically the travel restrictions and inability of spec committees to meet in person, caused Booked orders for fire apparatus to drop by 12% in 2020. As restrictions lifted in 2021 and 2022, the pent-up demand resulted in new apparatus orders spiking to 45% above the Pre-Pandemic baseline.
Pre-Pandemic lead times and business practices meant that manufacturing activity was less impacted initially. In many cases, manufacturers increased inventories in response to the potential for material shortages. This helped to mitigate some of the disruption in 2020. However, material shortages became more of an issue through 2021 and 2022, resulting in an overall 9% drop in Shipped orders versus the Pre-Pandemic baseline.
Rapid increases in Booked orders, combined with the fall in Shipped orders resulted in an unprecedented imbalance of backlog – meaning much longer lead times.
The graph shows 2024 Shipped orders increasing by 13% versus the low of 2022. This doesn’t eliminate the large gap that emerged as a result of the spike in Booked orders, it is a key step in closing the gap and bringing lead times into a more normal timeline.
For more information, including a member list and industry news, visit the FAMA website at www.fama.org or email info@fama.org.
About FAMA:
The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) is a non-profit trade association organized in 1946. Members of FAMA are committed to enhancing the quality of the fire apparatus industry and emergency service community through the manufacture and sale of safe, efficient fire apparatus and equipment.
The Mission of FAMA:
FAMA advances the knowledge, safety, growth, and health of the emergency vehicle market.
The Vision of FAMA:
FAMA is recognized as the most comprehensive resource to the North American emergency vehicle industry.
