Calgary Fire Department Confronts Multi-Million Dollar Corrosion Crisis in Fire Truck Fleet
The City of Calgary is grappling with a significant and costly infrastructure challenge that extends beyond its well-documented water main issues. The municipal fire department is currently spending millions of dollars to address severe corrosion problems affecting the frame rails of its fire truck fleet, with road de-icing salt emerging as the probable cause.
Chief Points to Road Salt as Primary Culprit
Calgary Fire Chief Steven Dongworth has identified the city's extensive use of road salt during winter months as the most likely source of the corrosion affecting specific generations of fire trucks. "It's a new issue for us," Dongworth explained in a recent interview. "With a specific generation of truck—not our latest generation but the previous one—we started to see the frame rails corroding. We hadn't really seen this before on previous iterations of truck."
What makes this situation particularly noteworthy is that Dongworth hasn't received similar reports from other fire departments operating in cold climate regions where road salt is commonly used. The department has proactively reached out to truck manufacturers to explore potential solutions for future purchases, including the application of protective coatings to vulnerable frame components.
Staggering Replacement Costs and Complex Repairs
The financial impact of this corrosion problem is substantial, with each frame rail replacement costing approximately $500,000. This expensive repair process requires lifting the entire truck body off its chassis, replacing the corroded components, and then reinstalling the body—a complex and labor-intensive procedure.
Despite the significant expense, Chief Dongworth considers the investment worthwhile given current market conditions. New fire trucks cost the department upwards of $1.5 million each, and the lead time to receive a new vehicle after ordering has stretched to approximately four years. Extending the serviceable life of existing equipment through these repairs represents a pragmatic approach to fleet management under challenging circumstances.
Fleet Aging and Supply Chain Challenges Compound Problem
Jamie Blayney, president of the Calgary Firefighters Association, estimates that approximately ten of the department's vehicles have been affected by this corrosion issue, suggesting an overall cost approaching $5 million. This situation highlights the aging nature of portions of Calgary's fire truck fleet, which as of 2025 included 72 primary engines supplemented by 17 spare vehicles.
"We expect more out of our trucks than a lot of cities do," Blayney noted, emphasizing the demanding operational requirements placed on Calgary's fire apparatus. The corrosion problem is further exacerbated by extended timelines for sourcing new fire trucks from U.S. suppliers, creating pressure to maintain older vehicles longer than originally anticipated.
Blayney explained that these supply chain constraints have forced the department to seek alternative solutions rather than simply replacing affected vehicles. The combination of corrosion damage, aging equipment, and procurement delays creates a perfect storm of operational and financial challenges for Calgary's fire services.
Broader Implications for Municipal Infrastructure Management
This corrosion issue represents more than just a maintenance problem for fire trucks—it highlights the complex interplay between municipal services, environmental factors, and infrastructure longevity. The extensive use of road salt, while essential for winter road safety in Canadian cities, appears to have unintended consequences for municipal vehicle fleets.
The situation also underscores the importance of proactive maintenance strategies and the need for municipalities to consider long-term durability when purchasing specialized equipment. As Calgary continues to address this challenge, other Canadian cities operating in similar climates may need to examine their own fleets for comparable issues.
Ultimately, the multi-million dollar expenditure required to address fire truck corrosion represents a significant allocation of municipal resources, highlighting the ongoing challenges cities face in maintaining critical emergency response infrastructure while managing taxpayer dollars effectively.
