DECATUR, AL – Another report of a garbage truck surfaced on July 7, adding Tampa, Fla., to a list with Decatur and Miami, Fla., that had trucks made by one company go up in flames, according to the Decatur Daily newspaper. After learning of the 10 reported cases of Lodal Inc. garbage trucks that burned, one Decatur official said he would investigate the matter further, according to the Daily. Repeated messages left at the Lodal plant in Kingsford, Mich., by the Daily, were not returned, but Mark Wilfalk, residential services manager for Tampa, told the Daily that he has spoken with the company president. "Lodal said they've had problems with Caterpillar engines," Wilfalk said, as quoted by the Daily. "Some were caused by hydraulic leaks on the engine, and they said if someone had reported the leak earlier, they could have probably prevented it." Wilfalk said Tampa has 43 Lodal trucks but only places 33 to 35 in service daily. The truck that burned ignited from an electrical wire malfunction, Wilfalk said. The Tampa Fire Department investigated its garbage truck blaze and determined an electrical circuit behind the fuse box in the cab was the source. Joe Arriola, city manager of Miami, said the municipality lost seven of its 32 Lodal garbage trucks to fires. Two of those burned within the past week. Decatur lost two Lodal garbage trucks to fires, the latest in August. The 20-truck Decatur fleet has 10 Lodal trucks in service. Decatur firefighters said the 2004 fire started in the truck's engine and spread to the cab.
Cities of Tampa, Miami, and Decatur Report Garbage Truck Fires
DECATUR, AL – Another report of a garbage truck surfaced on July 7, adding Tampa, Fla., to a list with Decatur and Miami, Fla., that had trucks made by one company go up in flames, according to the Decatur Daily newspaper.
More Operations

How Public Fleets Earn Public Trust and Operate Under Scrutiny
Taxpayers judge public services by what they can see. Learn how state and local government fleets are using data and transparency to demonstrate reliability, strengthen accountability, and build public confidence in every mile driven.
Read More →
EVs, New Roles in Fleets, Looking at Data, and More | The April Dispatch
April covered a lot of ground for government fleets, from Long Beach testing electric refuse trucks to new data on AI adoption, aging assets, and rising service costs.
Read More →
Rachel Darken Named Fleet Service Superintendent
Madison names Rachel Darken as fleet service superintendent, citing her leadership in fleet optimization, electrification efforts, and workforce development initiatives.
Read More →
Lynchburg Names Ken Lett Director of Fleet Services
Veteran public sector fleet leader Ken Lett brings more than 20 years of experience in strategic planning, financial oversight, and technology-driven operations to his new role leading the City of Lynchburg’s fleet program.
Read More →
Meet the 2026 Public Sector Fleet Manager of the Year Finalists
Recognizing excellence in public fleet leadership is no small task. Learn more about this year’s three outstanding finalists, and join us at GFX in Long Beach to see who takes home the honor.
Read More →
Oklahoma Statewide Fleet Vehicle Contract Multi-Year Agreement to Supply Fleet Vehicles to State Agencies and Municipalities
The Sewell Family of Companies has been awarded a statewide contract to supply fleet vehicles and services to government agencies across Oklahoma through 2032.
Read More →
Costs, AI, EVs, and Sales in Government Fleet | GovCast Shorts
On the go and want a snapshot of our top industry news? Check out Government Fleet's new video short of what's been happening.
Read More →
A Practical Approach to Fleet Cost Analysis in Government Operations
Government fleets face a distinct set of challenges that make cost analysis both more difficult and more critical.
Read More →
Closed: Vote Now for the Public Fleet Hall of Fame
Fleet professionals can now vote for the 2026 inductees of the Public Fleet Hall of Fame. Anyone affiliated with the public fleet industry, including fleet professionals, fleet technicians, or other staff members, and suppliers, can vote.
Read More →
Finding Your People | The Fleet Breakroom
Why the fleet community matters, how it helps with education and support, and why asking questions can save you more trouble than you think.
Read More →
