That's been the policy all along. One of the justifications is that the purchaser (ie: a broker or dealer) would have the means to make repairs to the vehicle to make it "safe" again. But, legally, there's nothing to keep a private individual from purchasing it one day, and turning around and selling it to a FD the next day.
Taylor Goodman
Captain - Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire
Fire Chief - Huguenot VFD, Powhatan, VA
Captain - Henrico County (VA) Division of Fire
Fire Chief - Huguenot VFD, Powhatan, VA