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Posted: Oct 20, 2022

Fire Departments Looking at More Multi-Use, Multi-Functional Apparatus

By Alan M. Petrillo

Safety, ease of use, and multi-tasking performance are big concerns when fire departments seek new apparatus, no matter what type.

Many departments, whether faced with budgetary issues or staffing issues, are asking manufacturers to build vehicles that can be used for more than one and sometimes several disciplines.

Mark Brenneman, assistant sales manager for 4 Guys Fire Trucks, points out 4 Guys recently built a triple-threat rig for the Ashville (PA) Fire Department—a pumper-tanker-rescue. “With the universal staffing shortage in the fire service, fire departments are trying to do as much as they can to get as many functions on one apparatus as possible,” Brenneman observes. “The challenge for us and other manufacturers is to figure out how to fit everything the department wants on the vehicle that may have to go into a 50-year-old station with not much space around it.”

 4 Guys Fire Trucks built this pumper-tanker-rescue on a Spartan Gladiator chassis and cab for the Ashville (PA) Fire Department. (Photo 1 courtesy of 4 Guys Fire Trucks.)

Brenneman says the pumper-tanker-rescue that 4 Guys built for Ashville is on a Spartan Gladiator tandem rear axle chassis and long four-door cab with a 2,000-gallon per minute (gpm) pump, an 1,800-gallon water tank, a 15-kilowatt (kW) generator, a light tower, and a five-bottle air cascade system with a fill station.

Joe Messmer, president of Summit Fire Apparatus, agrees that multi-use apparatus are what fire departments are asking for most these days because they are looking for the most efficient use of their staffs and vehicles.

 Summit Fire Apparatus built this rescue-pumper with a 1,500-gpm midship-mounted pump and 16-foot aluminum rescue body for the Crescent Villa (KY) Fire Authority. (Photo 2 courtesy of Summit Fire Apparatus.)

“Rescue-pumpers are still the most popular apparatus,” Messmer notes, “and even smaller versions like a light rescue-pumper that we’re building on

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Posted: Oct 20, 2022

FA Volume 27 Issue 10

Read the features and news on fire trucks and fire equipment from the October 2022 issue of Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment magazine.

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Posted: Oct 20, 2022

Photo Apparatus of the Day: October 20, 2022

Spencer—London-Laurel (KY) Rescue Squad rescue. Ford F-550 XL cab and chassis; Ford 6.2L 385-hp engine; 11-foot walk-around rescue body; Command Light KL409D-44 light tower. Dealer: Spencer Manufacturing, South Haven, MI.

PREVIOUS PHOTO OF THE DAY >>

MORE FIRE APPARATUS ARTICLES >>

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Posted: Oct 20, 2022

Pierce Volterra Electric Fire Truck Named ‘Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin 2022’

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced its Pierce® Volterra™ zero-emissions pumper has won the annual “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” competition after receiving tens-of-thousands of votes of support. Appleton, Wisconsin-based Pierce was among 16 finalists in the 2022 competition, which included seven products manufactured in Northeast Wisconsin. The contest is sponsored each year by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce (WMC) and Johnson Financial Group, to highlight the state’s manufacturing industry by showcasing innovative products made in Wisconsin. All of the nominated products are made incorporating manufacturing processes within the state of Wisconsin.

Electric Fire Truck Wins ‘2022 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin’ Contest

“Pierce has been a proud Wisconsin manufacturer for over 100 years, and our team is incredibly honored to have been included among an admired group of companies and remarkable products,” said Lisa Barwick, vice president of marketing – Fire & Emergency Segment for Oshkosh Corporation. “Throughout the competition, a strong sense of pride and dedication to innovation was evident with every match-up. Winning is an incredible distinction, and we are thankful for the support of our Oshkosh Corporation and Pierce team members, the community, our dealer network across North America, and our customers.”

Since the Volterra’s introduction in 2021, Pierce has announced the placement of three zero-emissions pumpers into three communities, including the City of Madison, Wisconsin Fire Department, the City of Portland, Oregon Fire and Rescue, and Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department in Arizona. All locations represent vastly different climates, allowing Pierce to collect vehicle performance data for the vehicle in various environmental conditions.

What Makes the Pierce Volterra Electric Fire Truck “Cool”:

  • The Pierce Volterra pumper was the first zero-emissions electric fire truck in service in North America.
  • The technology supports municipalities’ growing environmental sustainability goals and agendas to reduce local carbon emissions.
  • The Pierce Volterra pumper technology consists of a proprietary Oshkosh Corporation patented parallel-electric drive train featuring an electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission which allows zero-emissions operation when powered by the integrated onboard batteries.
  • The patented parallel-electric drive train can also be coupled to the internal combustion engine to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system when needed for sustained long-term pumping operations.
  • The Pierce Volterra pumper’s exceptional operational range is tailored to a fire department’s needs and duty cycle for full-shift operation.
  • Incorporates a fire station-based, all-encompassing vehicle charging infrastructure provided by an established nationwide energy supplier – offering a thorough, simple, and fast charging solution.

Barwick added, “Oshkosh Corporation is a technology industrial company and a leader in electrification, autonomy, active safety, and intelligent connected products. Winning this award recognizes our commitment to developing electric vehicle solutions which help firefighters save lives and best serve their communities. As one of our latest innovations, it’s incredible to see our network and community rally around a shared vision for where the Volterra electric fire truck will take the fir

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Posted: Oct 20, 2022

Electric Fire Truck Wins ‘2022 Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin’ Contest

A winner has been named in this year’s Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin contest, Channel3000.com reported. Appleton-based Pierce Manufacturing’s electric fire truck took home the top prize, beating out 15 other products in a March Madness bracket-style competition.

The Volterra truck is billed as the first zero-emission electric fire truck in use in North America.

The truck was introduced into the Madison (WI) Fire Department’s fleet last year.

The truck was developed to provide the environmental benefits fire departments requested such as reducing emissions, minimizing fuel, and producing less noise without having to compromise on the leading-edge operational performance, functionality, and safety attributes fire departments expected from their fire truck, Fox6Now.com reported

According to Nick Novak from the Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce, the organization that holds the contest, roughly 152,000 votes were cast in this year’s contest, with around 33,000 coming in just the final round.

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