Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, received an order for 10 fire apparatus from Polk County Fire Rescue (PCFR) in Polk County, Florida. The purchase includes five pumpers, a 100-foot Pierce Aerial Platform, and a heavy-duty rescue/hazmat vehicle, all built on the Pierce® Velocity™ chassis, as well as three tandem rear axle tanker/pumper vehicles.
“Polk County Fire Rescue became a new Pierce customer just over two years ago, and this significant new purchase is a direct result of how our first vehicles have performed on front line duty over that time,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “We are proud to be selected to build these ten new apparatus for one of Florida’s largest fire departments.”
“We purchased our first Pierce Velocity engine in 2010, and our personnel are very impressed with its dependability and overall build quality – so when the time came to order new vehicles, we concluded that it was the right decision to continue with Pierce,” said Fire Chief David Cash of Polk County Fire Rescue. “These new Pierce vehicles will reduce a significant amount of our ongoing maintenance costs, while providing state-of-the-art technology to help our firefighters save lives and protect property.”
Pierce dealer, Ten-8 Fire Equipment, Inc. of Bradenton, Florida, provides local service and support. “Comprehensive support after the sale is critical to keeping any fire apparatus fleet on front line duty,” said Chief Cash. “Having the excellent team at Ten-8 available is a big plus for our department.”
The PCFR pumpers and aerial platform feature an optional forward roof cab design, which enhances interior space for the crew and improves visibility. The Department’s pumpers are designed to function as paramedic engines, and will be assigned to the busiest of its 45 stations. Each vehicle features seating for six firefighters and a forward facing EMS cabinet inside the cab. The pumpers also feature a 450 hp DD13 engine, Pierce Command Zone® advanced electronics and a 1,250-gpm single-stage pump.
The Pierce Velocity Aerial Platform features TAK-4® independent front suspension, a 500 hp DD13 engine, a 19-inch front bumper extension, a 300-gallon water tank, a 2,000-gpm single stage pump, Pierce Command Zone advanced electronics, and blue LED lighting along all three sections of the aerial.
The three Pierce tanker/pumper vehicles, built on Freightliner chassis, each feature a DD13 engine, a 2,500-gallon water tank, seating for three firefighters, and a 1,000-gpm PTO driven pump. “The larger Pierce tankers will enable our department to replace eighteen smaller and aging tankers that have ongoing maintenance issues,” added Chief Cash.
The Pierce Velocity non-walk-in, heavy-duty rescue features a 3-door cab with raised roof, seating for four firefighters, and a 21.5-foot body with roof hatches and recessed walkways. The vehicle offers a wide range of rescue equipment exterior compartments with adjustable shelves, slide-out toolboards and trays.
PCFR is a division of the Polk County Board of County Commissioners. PCFR provides fire, emergency medical, and emergency management services to residents in a 2000-square-mile area, and mutual aid to surrounding counties. PCFR has more than 600 full-time employees throughout 45 stations, and runs more than 80,000 calls each year.