Cedartown facing same issue as Rockmart when ordering new equipment ahead of regulatory changes

The Cedartown Fire and Rescue members are getting a new engine, but it’ll be several years before final delivery is made as the City Commission approved a low bid on during their July regular session to get the best price possible before regulations drive up costs.

Cedartown Commissioners approved $600,571 for a new engine for the firefighters to have at the ready from HME Ahrens-Fox.

City Manager Edward Guzman noted that the bid was a slight bit lower than what we presented at the work session,

“Chief Watters worked with the salesman on this one (to get the price down,)” Guzman added. “They had added a couple of percentage points to the price, and Chief Watters was able to get the original price we had been quoted.”

The new equipment will be on order, but it’ll likely be at least two years before delivery is made due to a large volume of new trucks being sought by municipalities ahead of regulatory changes that will increase costs.

The City of Rockmart faced this problem with the order of their new fire engine in months past, when they sought to get into the queue for new equipment. Federal regulations on diesel engines go into effect for all customers in 2027, which means any equipment purchased before the technology is required on all new engines to lower emissions will be passed on in cost to customers.

Thus the additional costs for needed equipment that has already been difficult to get during the shortages caused by pandemic shutdowns will be passed onto taxpayers in cities and counties around the country who operate everything from fire trucks to front end loaders.

An unintended consequence is that cities like Cedartown and Rockmart are now rushing to get equipment into the hands of their public safety personnel before the 2027 start date and inevitable cost increases and additional delays for delivery.