A Bronto Skylift aerial on a domestic custom fire apparatus chassis.

A Bronto Skylift aerial on a domestic custom fire apparatus chassis.

SHELBY, N.C. (April 26, 2018) – HURST Jaws of Life®, an industry leading global manufacturer of rescue tools, brings first responders two new cutters, the S 788E2 and S 788, with wider jaws and stronger blades designed for today’s high strength steels.

“High strength steels predicted to be in cars by the year 2020 are already being used in the cars of today,” said Bruce Johnston, HURST Jaws of Life director of marketing and product management. “First responders need tools that can face tough obstacles and allow easier patient access.” HURST will introduce the tools at 2018 FDIC International in Indianapolis, booth #2322.

“The new design and exceptional blade technology of our new S 788E2 and S 788 means first responders can get to the patient faster to save lives,” Johnston said.

First responders who seek the power and portability of battery-powered eDRAULIC® line, or those gaining power from generators, can use the S 788E2 and S 788 cutters as the solution. The new cutters can cut through current vehicle construction and are ready for tomorrow’s high strength steel. With a wide cutter opening at 7.87 inches, its unique blade geometry has a 6.02-inch blade reach. The S 788E2/S 788 also has 67 percent more cutting performance in the relevant work area so first responders can get to their patients faster.

With first responder safety and comfort in mind, the S 788E2 and S 788 are ergonomically designed with a star-grip that permits tool actuation from almost any gripping position. Dead man control valves will revert the tool to a neutral position if a worker’s hands slip from the control. Each tool comes with two batteries and one charger.

About HURST Jaws of Life

HURST is the only manufacturer of the Jaws of Life® brand. There is no equal to saving lives. The company’s commitment to research and development and dedication to quality engineering and manufacturing, has resulted in a line of innovative products known for outstanding safety,

durability and performance. HURST Jaws of Life, Inc., is a unit of IDEX Corporation, an applied solutions company. For more information about HURST Jaws of Life, please visit www.jawsoflife.com. Stop by FDIC International 2018 Booth #2322 for a look at the new tools.

All this week at FDIC International 2018, Monday through Friday, we will be featuring live radio and hangouts from the show, sponsored by 3M Scott Fire & Safety. More at www.scottsafety.com.

Watch the Thursday hangout above.

For more, go HERE.

1:00 PM – 1:30 PM         Rich Gasaway

1:30 PM – 2:00 PM         Tom Merrill

2:00 PM – 2:30 PM         Mike McEvoy

2:30 PM – 3:00 PM         Kimberly Cox and Angela Hughes

3:00 PM – 3:30 PM         The Lawyers

3:30 PM – 4:00 PM         Tom Aurnhammer and Ron Kanterman

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM  Remote from the 3M Scott Fire & Safety booth!

Podcast: Listen on FE Talk Radio 

APPLETON, Wis. (April 26, 2018) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, today introduced a new, uncompromising addition to the Pierce Ascendant Class of Aerials at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Ind. The all-new Ascendant 100’ Aerial Tower includes best in class features including superior maneuverability, drivability, operator functionality, and serviceability. Answering the demand for the innovative Ascendant ladder to be available on additional configurations, the 100’ Aerial Tower offers heavy-duty capabilities and the highest level of dependability.

Reaching heights of 100' vertically and 93' horizontally, the Ascendant 100' Aerial Tower packages a 5-section heavy-duty steel tower onto a vehicle with a low overall ride height of only 10'8" and length of only 41’ 3”. Its 160" rear overhang minimizes tail-swing offering superior maneuverability and even greater visibility than that of a rear-mounted tower.

“We listened to our customers’ feedback and incorporated elements that exceed expectations with the innovative features of the new Ascendant 100’ Aerial Tower,” said Lisa Barwick, director of business development, Pierce Manufacturing. “Exceptional horizontal and vertical reach capabilities, combined with superior maneuverability, drivability, operability, and serviceability functions, address firefighters’ essential aerial apparatus needs.”

This new aerial tower outperforms with a 1,000 lb tip load capacity, up to a 20-degree below grade operation, and a below grade 50-degree scrub area. All of this is accomplished with the truck at a mere 20' set-back from the building. Its integrated ground pads eliminate time spent throwing ground pads, so setup is streamlined and faster than any other aerial on the market.   The apparatus will be ready for aerial operations in under 30 seconds.

“Last year we introduced a class of aerials that set a new benchmark for performance in the industry, and we didn’t stop at taking the platform options and apparatus features a step further,” said Barwick. “The all-new Ascendant 100’ Aerial Tower is ideal for customers in the market for a mid- or rear-mounted platform and is unlike any other aerial apparatus available.”

The Ascendant 100' Aerial Tower is available on a variety of custom chassis and body styles to meet fire departments’ needs. Additionally, the apparatus can be configured with a rear axle rating as low as 48,000 lbs. providing all of the benefits of a lighter weight vehicle such as shorter stopping distances and better performance from the chassis drivetrain. For a comprehensive review of the Pierce Ascendant Class of aerials, visit www.piercemfg.com/AscendantClass for complete specs, video and images.

Photo caption: Pierce Manufacturing introduces a new, uncompromising addition to the Pierce Ascendant Class of Aerials at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Ind. The Ascendant 100-foot Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower includes best in class features with superior maneuverability, drivability, operator functionality, and serviceability.

About Pierce Manufacturing

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire a