Firefighter Nouhoum Cisse, 44, of Cranberry, sits behind the wheel of Engine 21, a 1989 FMC pumper, at CranberryTownship Volunteer Fire Company Haine Station in Cranberry on Friday, Sept. 23. The vehicle has 4203 hours on the engine and 850 hours on the pump. Cary Shaffer/Butler Eagle

Cranberry Township Volunteer Fire Company’s oldest engine, the 1989 FMC engine, has been in operation for longer than many of the company’s members have been alive.

These days, the engine typically is used for training in the Cranberry area, and is a reserve vehicle if other vehicles are not available.

But when it comes to replacing the 1989 engine, division chief Mike Hanks said he "wasn't prepared" to hear how long it would take to get a new fire truck. The final numbers were a shock — 28 months and a $751,000 price tag.

“It was kind of a shock to all of us,” Hanks said. “It is completely abnormal. It’s like that across the board; it’s not just one vendor. Pretty much everybody that is doing fire trucks right now is doing so on a very extended timeline.”

Cranberry’s projected wait until 2024 is not unusual across first responders and departments in Butler County and beyond. Shortages of parts, inflation and residual COVID-19 supply chain issues have added up to increased wait times for new trucks, police cars and engines.

“The cost is up substantially on these, (as are) the lead times on them to get them,” Hanks said. “With material shortages and everything else, you’re kind of at the mercy of that.”

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