Windsor moves forward with $3.1M fire truck order amid tariff uncertainty

Here’s an update from Windsor council this week, courtesy of CTV Windsor’s Travis Fortnum.

Windsor City Council has approved the purchase of two new fire vehicles — a decision staff say could save taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars if tariffs rise in the near future.

The $3.1-million order includes one aerial and one pumper truck, both replacing aging vehicles nearing the end of their service life.

City officials say one of the key motivations for moving quickly is uncertainty around international tariffs, particularly as they relate to U.S.-built emergency vehicles.

“The nice thing is that right now, emergency vehicles are exempted under those tariffs,” said Michael Chantler, the city’s commissioner of community services.

“That could change any given day.”

Chantler said the lead time to receive the trucks is already a couple of years — and ordering now locks in lower pricing.

“By doing it now we save a couple hundred thousand dollars on the price of the vehicles,” he said.

“Then we have setup once the vehicles arrive… and we don’t know where the cost will be on that equipment when those trucks arrive.”

Each truck is expected to cost an additional $80,000 to fully equip after delivery.

Mayor Drew Dilkens supported the move but said it highlights the financial strain the city faces when replacing major assets.

“We can afford to buy two new fire trucks, but it’s at the expense of something else,” said Dilkens.

“If we’re paying 73 per cent more on a $1.5-million fire truck, that means there’s something else we can’t do downstream.”

Council’s decision comes amid broader discussions about capital funding and long-term asset management.

“We still have to make sure we have police cars and fire trucks on the road and responding to 911 calls,” Dilkens added.

“But these are real pressures… and they speak to the inflationary issues we see as a city.”

The new fire vehicles are expected to arrive in early 2026.