Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, highlighted its broad range of fire apparatus including numerous recent aerial product developments at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pierce’s FDIC presence put a spotlight on the theme: Deserve Better. Serve Better., with an exhibit focus that includes an extensive scope of apparatus and technology, represented by the strongest dealer network in the industry, along with the introduction of expanded aftermarket support offerings.

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Pierce kicked-off FDIC 2019 with an opening announcement that specifically addressed firefighters and shared the company’s dedicated focus on producing unrivaled apparatus. Event attendees couldn’t miss Pierce’s unique message, ‘Deserve Better. Serve Better.’ that honored the brave men and women in service and centered around four key themes:

-       You Speak. We Listen.

-       You Question. We Answer.

-       You Ask. We Act.

-       You Lead. We Honor.

“FDIC is the perfect opportunity for our team to connect with firefighters and learn about their needs,” said Mike Dufrane, vice president of sales and marketing, Pierce Manufacturing. “With 18 apparatus on display and representatives from our network of 26 dealers, we are able to show first-hand how Pierce has developed custom apparatus configurations that address the unique regional challenges many fire departments face. We also love having the opportunity to thank fire service representatives and build a deeper understanding of the risks they face each day.”

Following Pierce’s FDIC opening remarks, event attendees had the opportunity to experience an extensive scope of apparatus and service innovations on display, including emergency response vehicles that include fully customized, sophisticated communications systems manufactured by Pierce in Clearwater, Florida. Representing regions from across North America, fire trucks on display featured the latest chassis design, pump panels, aerial configurations, electrical systems, and much more. The new Pierce Situational Awareness System by Fotokite actively tethered aerial device was featured in demonstrations showing ease of deployment from any apparatus and capability to be retrofitted with apparatus currently in service.

Dufrane added, “The booth represents product configurations and enhancements based on customer feedback and demonstrates how the specific needs of fire departments are addressed during the design and manufacturing processes. We’ve also enjoyed having the opportunity to unveil the new Pierce Situational Awareness System by Fotokite actively tethered aerial device and how this tool provides immediate aerial views of a scene to help increase response effectiveness.”

Present to walk booth visitors through Pierce’s FDIC exhibit were representatives from the strongest fire apparatus dealer network in North America. Now 26 locations strong, 765 collective years of Pierce product sales, and one million total square feet of service center space, Pierce dealers made themselves readily available to provide educated and experienced insight.

In line with the over-arching theme of supporting the needs of firefighters, Pierce’s aftermarket service specialists introduced expanded product support capabilities and