Strike at Sutphen Forces Columbus, OH, to Switch to Pierce for Aerial

Columbus is purchasing a ladder truck from Pierce not from Sutphen as originally planned.

Due to an ongoing strike at Sutphen, city officials made the switch and withdrew its contract during a meeting Monday night.

They then inked a deal with Atlantic Emergency Solutions to buy one made by Pierce Manufacturing, The Columbus Dispatch reported, adding that the cost is now $2,589,077 instead of $2,515,613.

"The most important thing to this City Council is getting equipment to our firefighters," Councilmember Emmanuel Remy, chair of council's Public Safety Committee said.

Likewise, City Council President Shannon G. Hardin explained: "Given the urgent needs raised by our Division of Fire, we must move forward with a new contract to ensure our firefighters have the equipment they need to protect our growing city as soon as possible.”

Sutphen officials wrote in a statement: "At Sutphen, our mission remains building the safest, most reliable fire apparatus in the world – not engaging in politics."

"...We are proud of our long-standing relationship with the Columbus Division of Fire and will continue to support the maintenance and readiness of their existing fleet. If and when the City of Columbus decides to purchase another fire apparatus from Sutphen Corporation, they know how to reach us."