Three new fire engines built in Winnipeg will soon join the Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service (WFPS) frontline fleet following a formal inspection at a local manufacturing facility.
The engines were showcased Tuesday at Fort Garry Fire Trucks, where production is nearing completion. The vehicles will be outfitted with Winnipeg-specific equipment and decals before entering service later this summer.
City officials say the new apparatus will replace older engines currently in operation and help maintain reliability across one of Canada’s busiest municipal fire services.
WFPS responds to more than 100,000 incidents each year across Winnipeg, often under challenging weather and emergency conditions.
Mayor Scott Gillingham said the investment is about both public safety and firefighter protection.
“WFPS members do critical work every day to keep our city safe,” Gillingham said. “Investing in new fire engines means investing in their safety and making sure our firefighters have reliable equipment to do their jobs and respond when Winnipeggers need them most.”
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Fleet renewal underway
The three engines were awarded through a competitive procurement process to Fort Garry Fire Trucks, a long-standing Winnipeg manufacturer that also employs about 150 people.
An additional heavy rescue unit is expected to be completed in 2026, and eight more pieces of fire apparatus are currently on order over the next two years.
The total cost of the three engines is $1.3 million, funded through the City of Winnipeg’s 2025 budget as part of a broader $18-million fleet renewal strategy.
Officials say replacing vehicles before major mechanical failure is key to ensuring uninterrupted emergency response.
Supporting local manufacturing
Fort Garry Fire Trucks, founded in 1919, builds fire apparatus for departments across North America and remains one of Winnipeg’s established industrial employers.
City officials say purchasing locally helps support the regional economy while ensuring equipment is designed and built with Winnipeg’s operational needs in mind.
Once final outfitting is complete, the new engines are expected to enter service this summer, strengthening WFPS response capacity for fires, medical emergencies, and rescue calls across the city.