Fire Trucks – Milwaukee Moves Toward Legal Action Over Pricing Concerns
Fire Trucks – Milwaukee is positioning itself to pursue legal claims against several major fire truck manufacturers amid allegations that the companies coordinated to inflate vehicle prices. The move follows similar action taken by other Wisconsin municipalities and comes at a time when the city is grappling with the cost of replacing aging emergency equipment.
City Signs Legal Agreement
On February 11, Mayor Cavalier Johnson authorized a retainer agreement with two law firms to represent Milwaukee in potential claims against Oshkosh Corporation, Rev Group, Inc., and Rosenbauer America LLC. The agreement also names the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association, an industry trade group.
While the document does not specifically reference a pending lawsuit filed by the city of La Crosse and several other municipalities, its language suggests Milwaukee may be preparing to join broader litigation.
According to the agreement, once a formal complaint is filed, attorneys intend to seek class action status. Milwaukee could serve as a designated representative for other cities that may have purchased fire trucks during the period in question.
Allegations Mirror Statewide Concerns
The legal action appears to align with a lawsuit filed in August 2025 by La Crosse. In that case, city officials alleged that the three manufacturers collectively control between 70% and 80% of the national fire apparatus market and worked together to drive up prices in violation of antitrust laws.
The La Crosse complaint does not specify a dollar amount in damages. Instead, it seeks compensation up to the maximum permitted under law for affected municipalities.
Representatives of Oshkosh Corporation and Rosenbauer America have previously denied the allegations, stating they dispute the claims outlined in the lawsuit.
Budget Pressures and Fleet Challenges
Milwaukee’s interest in legal action comes as the city continues to confront rising costs tied to maintaining and replacing its fire fleet. City officials have described the department’s apparatus inventory as aging and increasingly expensive to service.
In recent budget cycles, funding requests from the fire department were scaled back during council deliberations. However, in the 2026 city budget, the Common Council voted to override a mayoral veto and approved $10 million in additional funding aimed at upgrading equipment and vehicles.
The financial strain associated with replacing specialized emergency vehicles has been a recurring issue not only in Milwaukee but in other cities across the state.
Limited Public Comment
A spokesperson for Mayor Johnson directed questions about the agreement to City Attorney Evan Goyke, who declined to comment on the matter. Fire Chief Aaron Lipski also did not provide a statement regarding the potential legal action.
Because no formal complaint has yet been filed by Milwaukee, specific details about the scope of its claims remain unclear. The retainer agreement indicates that city officials are evaluating their legal options as part of a broader review of procurement practices and pricing trends in the fire truck industry.
Broader Implications for Municipalities
If Milwaukee proceeds and the case moves forward as a class action, other local governments that purchased fire apparatus during the relevant period could potentially participate. Such cases often require detailed financial records and industry analysis to determine whether coordinated pricing occurred.
The outcome of the litigation initiated by La Crosse may also influence Milwaukee’s next steps. For cities facing tight budgets and high replacement costs for emergency vehicles, the legal process could shape future procurement decisions and market oversight.
For now, Milwaukee’s signed agreement signals a readiness to explore legal remedies while balancing the financial realities of maintaining critical public safety infrastructure.