Baton Rouge could soon join dozens of local governments across the country in suing the nation's largest fire truck manufacturers over alleged antitrust violations — and if it does, Louisiana’s former governor would try the case.
On Wednesday, the Metro Council approved an agreement with the Fishman Haygood law firm — where former Gov. John Bel Edwards is now a partner — to explore filing an antitrust lawsuit.
Over the past year, a number of lawsuits have been filed across the country against three manufacturers. Los Angeles County, Milwaukee and other local governments have accused Pierce Manufacturing, Rosenbauer America and REV Group of working together to limit competition, charge higher prices and force fire departments to wait years for new engine and ladder trucks.
The three companies belong to a trade group called the Fire Apparatus Manufacturers Association, and they own about 70% of the market, according to data from the International Association of Firefighters.
In 2017, REV Group acquired Ferrara Fire Apparatus, which is based in Holden, Louisiana.
Money has been tight in the city-parish’s budget over the past few years, and Christel Slaughter, Chief Operations Officer for the mayor, said rising costs of firefighting equipment is an issue.
“It’s astronomical,” Slaughter said. “And when one is ordered, you sometimes have to wait even two years for it to be delivered. It’s a burden.”
In testimony , union leaders told lawmakers that the average price of ladder trucks had risen from around $589,000 in 2020 to nearly $1.1 million in five years.
The cost of a new fire engine can range from $2 million to about $2.5 million.
Baton Rouge has one of the highest-rated departments in the country, which keeps insurance rates low.
“But a lot of that rating is based on your water pressure, it's based on the number of engines you have rolling, on how many people you have on those trucks,” said City-Parish Assistant Chief Administrative Officer Jeff LeDuff. “So having the equipment is essential. Delays and these costs are an issue.”
Governor turned litigator
Edwards served as Louisiana’s 56th governor from 2016 to 2024. After leaving office, he joined Fishman Haygood and was elected partner in February this year, where he has worked alongside the firm’s business and litigation teams.
Prior to his political career, Edwards worked as a civil attorney in Amite.
Edwards was present at Wednesday’s council meeting and explained that the agreement between the city-parish and his law firm comes with no cost to taxpayers. If a lawsuit is filed and there is a favorable outcome in which the city-parish is awarded funds, then Fishman Haygood would be paid a percentage.
The former governor did not speak at Wednesday’s meeting about the details of a possible lawsuit, advising the council against discussing legal strategies publicly.
Slaughter said Edwards and the firm approached the mayor’s team about a possible case and saw the other suits being filed across the country.
“He obviously brings a lot to the table, and his firm brings a lot to the table,” Slaughter said. “So, we think we're in very good hands.”