The new apparatus are part of fleet expansion and replacement efforts by the Wichita Falls Fire Department.
APPLETON, Wis. (March 31, 2022) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced an order from the Wichita Falls Fire Department in Texas for 11 custom fire apparatus built on the Pierce Enforcer™ chassis, including eight pumpers, one Ascendant® 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower, one Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder, and one Heavy-Duty Non-Walk-In Rescue. Purchased through Texas-based Pierce dealer Siddons-Martin Emergency Group, the order is anticipated to be completed by April 2023.
“We’ve had a great experience with the Pierce apparatus currently in our fleet with regard to performance, drivability, configuration of the PUC, and maintenance support,” said Ken Prillaman, City of Wichita Falls Fire Chief. “The new apparatus will replace our entire current frontline, with some of the existing apparatus moving into reserve status. We look forward to the fleet updates and welcoming the new trucks into service as the department expands to meet the needs of our community.”
Wichita Falls Fire Department’s new fire apparatus will feature:
8 Pierce Enforcer Pumpers
- Enforcer chassis
- 750-gallon water tank
- PUC™ 1500 gpm pump
- Cummins L9 450 hp engine
- TAK-4® Independent Suspension
- HAAS Collision Mitigation System
- Husky™ 3 Foam System
Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower
- Enforcer chassis with 13” frame rails
- 300-gallon water tank
- PACCAR MX-13, 510 hp big block engine
- TAK-4 Independent Suspension
- HAAS Collision Mitigation System
- Side roll and frontal impact protection
- Integrated ground pads
- 20’ setback capability
- 20-degree below grade operation
Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder
- Enforcer chassis with 13” frame rails
- 500-gallon water tank
- PUC 1500 gpm pump
- PACCAR MX-13, 510 hp big block engine
- TAK-4 Independent Suspension
- Heavy-duty 107’ steel ladder
- Quint, aluminum body
- Single rear axle
- HAAS Collision Mitigation System
- Side roll and frontal impact protection
Heavy-Duty Non-Walk-In Rescue
- Enforcer chassis
- Cummins L9, 400 hp engine
- TAK-4 Independent Suspension
- Aluminum body, non-walk-in
- HAAS Collision Mitigation System
- Side roll and frontal impact protection
- 3000 lb rope anchors on body roof
- Harrison 6kw hydraulic generator
- Will-Burt light tower
- Plywood storage rack
- Shelves, trays, tool boards, and tool drawers
The Wichita Falls Fire Department has eight fire stations and 160 sworn personnel that respond to over 13,500 calls per year. It is credited with being the first fire department west of the Mississippi River to have a motorized fire apparatus and a 100’ aerial apparatus.
“We have worked with the Wichita Falls Fire Department for over 20 years, and we are very proud that with this order, their entire fleet will be made up of Pierce fire apparatus, including reserve vehicles,” said Travis Ownby, sales representative with Siddons-Martin Emergency Group. “We value our long-standing relationship and look forward to continuing our partnership as the department expands its resources to support emergency response across the Wichita Falls region.”
For a comprehensive review of Pierce pumpers, Ascendant aerials, the PUC, and the PACCAR MX-13 big block engine, visit Read more
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Posted: Mar 31, 2022
Four Ogdensburg (NY) firefighters Monday afternoon used an aerial to perform a rescue of two men stuck in a lift behind Riverview Correctional Facility.
The two gentlemen were stuck nearly 70 feet in the air for “multiple hours,” but both were left unscathed.
“Using Q-1’s aerial device, fire personnel were able to make quick contact with the men on the lift and assist them to the ground to safety,” a Facebook post reads. “Local 1799 is happy to report the workers who had been stranded for multiple hours, were unharmed, and very happy to be out of the freezing conditions.
“Stay safe everyone!!”
All photos via Facebook.
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Posted: Mar 31, 2022
Grab your tin-foil hats!
Firefighters in Edmonton, as in many other places, were moved to donate old gear to firefighters operating in Ukraine under arduous circumstances.
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Photos: Ukraine Firefighters Continue Work Through the Madness of War
But when a photo of a firefighter in Edmonton turnout gear turned up in war coverage, that prompted an online feeding frenzy of individuals who thought it must prove the war is being staged.
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Posted: Mar 31, 2022
By Rich Marinucci
Recently, it was reported that a Baltimore City Council Member was proposing an ordinance that would prohibit firefighters from fighting fires in abandoned and dilapidated structures unless there was a confirmed life at risk–essentially a do not enter mandate. This was in response to the tragic fire where three firefighters lost their lives fighting a fire in an abandoned structure.
There are a few things that strike me regarding this. It was reported that no one in the fire department or fire service was contacted; this includes the fire chief, union, or anyone else. Now I am only commenting on what I read, so if there is different information, please let me know. But based upon what I know, my first reaction is to wonder how someone outside of the business can arbitrarily suggest this without contacting the experts in her community. This would seem like a knee-jerk reaction that should have required a little more communication and consultation. And of course, the comments from the Chief and others are what I would expect regarding the information presented.
While my initial reaction was probably like most everyone else in the fire service, I have since given it more thought. No, I haven’t changed my opinion with respect to the failure to consult fire professionals. But it is worth discussing the reaction of the council member. You could say that those outside the industry wonder why we take risks for things that are not worth anything. They look at what we do and can’t wrap their brain around the idea that we will put ourselves in harm’s way for worthless property.
Of course, many people know that there can be lives at stake in abandoned structures and firefighters do the right thing to look for people in survivable spaces. Yet, when the life hazard is cleared, we should start thinking about the viewpoint of those outside the service have regarding this. There is no expectation to protect property with no value. Maybe the fire service should take the lead on this and not wait for those on the outside to provide direction.
The Canadian fire service has taken a strong stand on occupational cancer in the fire service and is working to change the results. A recent article cited that 86% of the line-of-duty deaths (LODD) in the past year were the result of occupational cancer. This is a striking number and may also be closer to the real numbers in the United States fire service. A national cancer registry has been established and data should begin to identify specifically the numbers in this country.
It would not be a surprise to find numbers similar to those reported in Canada. If this is the case, will the U.S. fire service take more aggressive action to reduce these statistics? There is no doubt there are risks in this job. Likewise, we all know that often times, unnecessary risks are taken. When presenting classes on fire safety, I will ask if anyone ever “saved” a car that was on fire. Obviously, no one has, and all the cars end up in the junk yard. If this is the case, why risk getting cancer to extinguish the fire? You still need to put the fire out, but it should be done with no risk, or very minimal if there are no other options and letting the fire burn itself out is not an option.
The same discussion could be made regarding dumpster and trash fires. These are a couple of responses that, if the right approach is taken, can start reducing unnecessary exposures. Some departments have started taking this approach, but it should be in everyone’s policy manual. There is a need to change the culture and look at the incidents where the outcome is pre-determined, that is the fire department will not change the outcome, and only take risks to match the expected benefits.
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