Calgary Fire Department First in Canada to Receive Volterra

May 28, 2024

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, is pleased to announce the Calgary Fire Department will receive the fourth placement of the Pierce® Volterra™ Electric Pumper in North America. This is the first in Canada and part of Pierce’s ongoing commitment to optimizing and evaluating the Pierce Volterra Platform of Electric Vehicles in various environmental conditions. Other placements include Madison, Wisconsin, Gilbert, Arizona, and Portland, Oregon. The Calgary Fire Department’s winter operations provide an ideal environment for cold weather verification, allowing Pierce to gather valuable data on the vehicle’s performance in extreme low temperatures, much like the ongoing evaluation of performance in arid, subtropical conditions in Gilbert, Arizona.

“We look forward to incorporating the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck into our fleet, as it represents a significant advancement in our commitment to sustainable firefighting solutions and reduced emissions,” said Nigel Thorley, Leader, Fleet and Equipment for the Calgary Fire Department. “Pierce and Commercial Emergency Equipment have been trusted partners and their dedication to innovation and reliability ensures that this state-of-the-art vehicle will enhance our ability to serve Calgary’s diverse and growing community. We will be working together to share performance data which will further contribute to the Pierce electric fire truck’s optimization.”

The City of Calgary is dedicated to environmental sustainability through initiatives outlined in its 23-2026 Climate Implementation Plan. The city’s Green Fleet Strategy aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2030, promoting the use of electric and low-carbon vehicle technologies. Adding the Pierce Volterra Electric Pumper aligns with these goals, supporting Calgary’s mission to be an environmentally sustainable and resilient city.

The Pierce Volterra Electric Pumper will be showcased in Commercial Emergency Equipment’s booth during the 2024 Alberta Fire Chiefs Association Tradeshow on May 26-27, 2024, and will be delivered to the Calgary Fire Department soon thereafter. The electric fire apparatus is expected to be in service this summer. Pierce dealer, Commercial Emergency Equipment, will provide service support for the vehicle as it does with all Calgary Fire Department’s Pierce fire apparatus. Commercial Emergency Equipment’s emergency vehicle technicians (EVTs) have undergone Volterra-specific high-voltage system service training at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Appleton, Wisconsin.

“We are proud to support Pierce Manufacturing’s first zero-emission emergency apparatus in Canada,” said Carey Feduniw, general manager of Commercial Emergency Equipment. “The Commercial Group of Companies has a long history of vehicle electrification and sustainability, including the outfitting of fully electric work vehicles for the City of Calgary, and this partnership is a testament to our commitment to a greener future. Our certified technicians are ready to ensure the successful integration of this advanced vehicle into the Calgary Fire Department’s fleet.”

Several fire departments throughout North America have Pierce Volterra electric fire trucks on order and in production. Fire departments interested in configuring a Pierce Volterra EV to meet their specific needs are encouraged to contact their local Pierce dealer for more information and to begin the customization process.

To read the full article, see our last issue here.