Fleet of five pumpers takes on wide range of fire and emergency challenges.
APPLETON, Wis. (June 23, 2011) – Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced that it recently placed five Pierce® Velocity™ custom rescue pumper vehicles into service at the Longmont Fire Department in Longmont, Colo.
“These Velocity pumpers showcase the flexibility and performance of Pierce custom fire trucks, as they help the Longmont Fire Department provide a wide range of emergency services to its citizens,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “With their rear mounted pumps and full complement of rescue equipment, they are engineered to address fire suppression as well as EMS and rescue responses.”
“We rely on these new Pierce Velocity rescue pumpers to give each crew all the tools they need to handle the vast majority of emergency responses without having to call for additional units,” said Longmont Fire Department Assistant Fire Chief Scott Snyder. “They can handle advanced life support, basic extrication and, of course, firefighting attack. This gives us the most flexibility and the most efficient use of personnel.”
Each of the five Velocity pumpers is equipped with TAK-4® independent front suspension, a 470-hp engine and Command Zone advanced electronics. The firefighting system includes a 500-gallon water tank, stainless steel body, 2000-gpm rear mounted water pump, Husky® 12 foam system with 40-gallon foam cell, wireless remote control deck monitor and hinged compartment doors.
“With the rear mounted pump configuration, we have found that the compartment space you gain behind the cab is significant. It’s where we carry backboards, long handled tools, and other important equipment,” added Snyder. “Moreover, with the pump panel located in a rear compartment, the pump operator can – with only having to take a step or two – view three sides of the incident.”
The 70-inch long cab features a 10-inch raised roof, seating for six firefighters, both frontal impact and side roll protection systems, EMS cabinets inside the cab, an LED light package and a dual module vehicle data recorder. Large storage compartments carry a wide range of rescue tools and emergency equipment.
Longmont Fire Department serves the City of Longmont, Colorado and its 86,000 residents. Located just 40 miles north of Denver, Longmont is mostly suburban but has industrial, urban, and rural areas as well. The full-service career department provides fire suppression, emergency medical services, technical rescue, hazardous materials response, fire investigation, public fire education, code review, and building fire inspections. The department operates Urban Search and Rescue, Technical Rescue and HazMat Teams, and also conducts fire investigation and wildland response. Every Longmont firefighter is a state certified Emergency Medical Technician.
Pierce dealer, Front Range Fire Apparatus, Inc. of Longmont, Colo., provides local service and support.
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 apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com
About Oshkosh Corporation
Oshkosh Corporation is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a broad range of specialty access equipment, commercial, fire & emergency and military vehicles and vehicle bodies. Oshkosh Corporation manufactures, distributes and services products under the brands of Oshkosh®, JLG®, Pierce®, McNeilus®, Medtec®, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh Specialty Vehicles, Frontline™, SMIT™, CON-E-CO®, London® and IMT®. Oshkosh products are valued worldwide in businesses where high quality, superior performance, rugged reliability and long-term value are paramount. For more information, visit www.oshkoshcorporation.com.
