COLUMBUS, Ohio — Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther is proposing more than $21 million in capital funding to replace and expand the city’s fire apparatus fleet, an investment he called the largest in the city’s history. The proposal would fund eight fire engines, two ladder trucks and more than 10 medic units. The final number of medic units will depend on vehicle costs, according to city officials. The request comes as Columbus continues to grow and the Division of Fire responds to heavy call volumes across the city. Interim Fire Chief Dave Baugh said every station is busy, increasing demands on firefighters, emergency medical technicians and paramedics. “As the city continues to grow, more people move into central Ohio, city of Columbus, we’re busy all the time, but every station is busy, so more is being asked of our personnel and our apparatus,” Baugh said. He said continued investment is needed to keep crews prepared and able to respond safely. Ginther said during a news conference last week that the spending would help the city “right-size” its fleet. He pointed to longer delivery times and rising costs for fire apparatus as reasons for making a significant investment now. The proposed spending follows concerns raised last year by Columbus firefighters and union leaders about vehicles operating beyond their expected service lives. Previous investigations found that some trucks had spent hundreds of days in repair facilities, while firefighters reported using makeshift materials and aging equipment to keep certain vehicles in service. The condition of the fleet has also produced disagreement within the city’s fire administration. A fleet manager previously described concerns about the department’s vehicles as a false narrative. Asked about that characterization, Ginther said he believed the manager may have been comparing Columbus with other cities rather than assessing the department’s needs in the context of local growth and demand. Ginther said discussions with Baugh, union President Steve Stein and other community leaders persuaded him that a major fleet upgrade was necessary. Stein said the firefighters union’s role is to advocate for the equipment members need to perform dangerous work and return home safely. “Advocacy works and matters,” Stein said. “We have the mandate that we have, and it’s to advocate for members, our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics, to get the tools they need to do a dangerous job, and do it safely, so they can get home to their friends.” The funding is included in the mayor’s proposed capital budget. Columbus City Council must review and debate the request before voting on whether to approve it.