Why do firehouses seem so expensive?

Fire stations are considered critical infrastructure for their communities. As a result, they are forced to adhere to stricter code enforcement to ensure survival of the buildings during natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornados, etc. for the purpose of public gathering.

Fire apparatus are larger and more sophisticated than ever. Evolving technologies and NFPA safety standards have driven costs of fire trucks up 5-7% each year. Most trucks need to be customized based on the size of the communities they serve, the landscape and the architecture there. Average costs for new fire trucks can reach upwards of $1 million dollars.