Fire trucks aging fast as Edmonton faces $1B replacement bill

The City of Edmonton is facing a critical infrastructure challenge as its fire truck fleet ages, with 37 vehicles requiring replacement over the next budget cycle. The cost of new fire trucks has skyrocketed, creating budget pressures that city officials describe as unsustainable. The aging fleet, some units compared to "duct-tape trucks" by firefighters, threatens response times and public safety. With prices climbing faster than available funding, the city must decide between replacing worn-out equipment or stretching budgets across other services.