Fire Fighting Equipment

The Fire Fighting Equipment program within the Navy's Other Procurement budget is dedicated to the procurement of essential emergency response vehicles and equipment for Navy installations. The primary goal of this line item is to ensure that the Navy's firefighting fleet remains modern, reliable, and compliant with current National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards. This is critical for protecting Navy personnel, ships, aircraft, and facilities from fire and other emergency hazards. The program supports the Navy's all-hazards emergency response mission, which includes fire suppression, rescue operations, hazardous materials response, and emergency medical services.

A significant objective of the program is to recapitalize aging firefighting vehicles and apparatus to maintain operational readiness and safety. The budget justification highlights the need for increased annual investments to ensure that emergency response vehicles are within their specified service life, incorporate technological improvements, and meet evolving mission requirements. The program also addresses findings from the DoD Inspector General Report D-2003-121, which emphasized the necessity for a robust and modern emergency services program across the Department of Defense.

The line item is divided into two major procurement categories: Aircraft Fire/Rescue Vehicles and Brush/Structural Firefighting Vehicles. The Aircraft Fire/Rescue segment includes the acquisition of various types of crash fire rescue trucks, ranging from 1,000-gallon to 3,000-gallon capacity vehicles, as well as specialized crew cab rescue vehicles and hazardous materials response trucks. These vehicles are deployed at Naval Air Stations and are essential for rapid response to aircraft incidents, crew rescues, and hazardous material emergencies.

The procurement plan for FY2026 includes multiple units of each vehicle type to replace aging assets and meet increased demand due to expanded mission requirements. The Brush/Structural Firefighting Vehicles segment focuses on the procurement of fire trucks designed for structural, shipboard, and wildland fire response. This includes brush/grass fire trucks, aerial ladder trucks (75 ft and 100 ft), structural pumpers, and agent resupplier trucks. These vehicles are used at shore-based installations and are comparable to municipal fire apparatus in their function, supporting both routine and specialized firefighting needs. The FY2026 request reflects increased quantities to support recapitalization and address higher demand for critical mission support.

Another component of the program is Integrated Logistics Support (ILS), which ensures that newly procured vehicles are properly supported throughout their lifecycle. This includes funding for training, technical documentation, spare parts, and maintenance planning. ILS is essential for sustaining the operational effectiveness of the firefighting fleet and minimizing downtime due to maintenance or parts shortages.

The justification for continued investment in the program is based on the need to maintain a high state of readiness for emergency response, comply with safety standards, and support new mission requirements such as expanded emergency medical services and response to weapons of mass destruction incidents. The program's procurement strategy leverages contracts with established manufacturers and utilizes Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) procurement vehicles to ensure timely delivery and standardization across the fleet.