07/26/2026
I shared this post. But it carries across all Fire Departments. Paid, Combination, or totally Volunteer.
The Rising Cost of Protecting Our Community
Every time the pager goes off, our firefighters respond without hesitation. Whether it’s a house fire, serious crash, medical emergency, or wildfire, they answer the call with the training and equipment needed to keep our community safe.
What many people don’t realize is how dramatically the cost of that equipment has increased over the last few years.
In 2020, the cost to outfit a single firefighter was approximately $6,750. Today, that same protective equipment costs more than $22,000. Essential items like SCBA air packs, radios, helmets, turnout gear, and boots have all seen significant price increases.
The cost of fire apparatus has risen just as dramatically. A new fire engine that cost around $400,000 in 2020 now typically costs between $850,000 and $1,000,000.
These rising costs affect every fire department, especially volunteer departments like Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District. While the price of equipment continues to climb, our commitment to protecting the citizens of our district remains unchanged.
We remain dedicated to providing the highest level of service possible while being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. We aggressively pursue grants, maintain our equipment for as long as safely possible, and carefully budget every purchase to maximize every dollar.
Thank you for your continued support of Doolittle Rural Fire Protection District. Your trust, encouragement, and investment in your fire department help ensure that our firefighters have the equipment they need to safely protect lives and property throughout our community.
Serving our community since 1980.