Emergency Equipment News » Pierce Mfg

Ultimate Factories Features Pierce Mfg.

admin — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 04:02:06 +0000

The Ultimate Factories episode featuring Pierce Manufacturing will be airing Thursday, June 19 at 8:00 p.m. central standard time on the National Geographic Channel.

Ultimate Factories has explored manufacturing goliaths such as Harley Davidson, BMW, Corvette and “brings to life some of the greatest one-of-a-kind factories in the world.” The “Fire Trucks” documentary features the sequence of events it takes to build a Pierce Aerial.

To learn more about the episode featuring Pierce, log on to:

Click Here for More Information

A DVD of the episode will also be available in the Pierce Store after the June 19, 2008 air date.

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Pierce Gives away very cool Downloads

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:06:54 +0000

^{Download the Pierce Screensaver for Windows®}
(3.2 mb zipped)

^{Download the Pierce Screensaver for Macintosh®}
(3.4 mb stuffed)

Desktop Wallpaper

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Departments Quick To Respond To Pierce Frontal Air Bag Protection

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 07:01:41 +0000

More than 40 custom chassis ordered with the new safety system since April 2007

OCTOBER 15, 2007, Appleton, Wis., — Since Pierce Manufacturing Inc. introduced the first frontal air bags available in custom chassis to the fire service earlier this year, the company has received more than 40 orders for vehicles featuring this new safety system.

The frontal air bag system is an integral part of the company’s 360º Protection From Every Angle™ program, designed to increase the safety of firefighters as they travel to and from emergency calls.

The air bags can be paired with the Side Roll Protection system and are available on all Pierce custom chassis.

“Our people are our most valuable asset, and their safety is my number one priority,” said Chris Sadler, chief of the technical services and special operations battalion of York County, Va. “We need state-of-the-art safety features on our apparatus, and that’s why we’ve spec’d the frontal air bag system on four new Pierce Quantum fire trucks now on order.”

Other departments ordering the frontal air bags include Las Vegas Fire Dept., Nev.; City of Portland Fire Bureau, Ore.; Bolivar Fire Dept., Ohio; Crowders Mountain Fire Dept., N.C.; and Newton Square Fire Dept., Penn.

The frontal air bag system protects firefighters in the event of front impact collisions. The frontal air bag system is available on Pierce Velocity™, Impel™, Quantum® and Arrow XT™ custom chassis, exclusively through Pierce. Fire trucks ordered with the frontal air bag system will be placed into service beginning later this fall.

“We’re seeing a high number of departments who want this system to keep their crews safer in the cab,” said Wilson Jones, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “The development of the frontal air bag system represents a tremendous investment, focusing on keeping fire fighters safer in the line of duty. At Pierce we make the commitment to develop the technologies because it is an important part of our on-going commitment to build the industry’s safest vehicles.”

A sensor inside the cab monitors the truck’s longitudinal accelerations. If it detects a frontal crash of significant magnitude, it sends a signal to inflate a steering wheel-mounted airbag and a knee bolster airbag on the front passenger side. These subsystems work together to dramatically reduce the risk of fatality or severe injury in a frontal collision. Pierce developed the frontal air bag system together with LifeGuard Technologies, a division of IMMI.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], 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 the Side Roll Protection System to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

Pierce Initiates NHTSA Recall On Pitman Arms

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:59:12 +0000

Release Date : October 10, 2007

October 11, 2007, APPLETON, Wis., — Pierce Manufacturing Inc., North America’s largest manufacturer of fire and rescue apparatus, announced it will be conducting a NHTSA Safety Recall covering Pierce® custom chassis with independent front suspension for the model years 2001-2007. In particular, the pitman arms installed on the suspension system manufactured from December 20, 2001 through December 31, 2006 need to be replaced. Pierce will begin a field replacement beginning on October 8, 2007, and anticipates completing it by August 2008. Customers of affected units are being notified through Pierce and its dealer network.

Pierce has identified the condition (in the absence of an obstacle) to cause the damage in the pitman arm. The condition requires a full cramp in all instances, and at slow speeds:

      1. At full cramp, drive one wheel INTO and OVER or AGAINST a curb.
      2. At full cramp, drive in reverse AND brake hard in a PANIC stop.
      3. Dry steer to full cramp while applying service brake.

Pierce has had only three breaks without any apparent previous hard strikes against an object (out of a total of more than 2,600 units with 5,200 total pitman arms). The breaks in the pitman arm have all occurred during slow speed maneuvering at full cramp.

“Our goal is to complete repairs in all identified units by August 2008. We see no valid reason to take an affected unit out of service,” said Wilson Jones, Pierce Manufacturing, president. “To ensure that apparatus drivers remain safe, Pierce is asking fire departments to instruct their drivers not to drive over curbs with the front wheels turned full left or right.” When the wheels are pointed straight or the unit is driving on roads, the stress level is low, which is the reason why it is safe to operate an apparatus at normal road speeds in normal manner.

Pierce will replace all the pitman arms on the vehicles subject to the recall with new arms made of thicker and stronger material. The new pitman arms are being installed in all independent suspensions on vehicles manufactured since January 1, 2007.

“Pierce recommends that Pierce dealers perform the replacement work,” added Jones. “We are providing dealers with the necessary tool and replacement kits and instructions. Otherwise, Pierce Customer Service will work with fire departments to determine who will do the work.” Any questions on affected apparatus should be directed to the local Pierce dealer or to Pierce customer service.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], 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 the Side Roll Protection™ System to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

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Pierce Launches Newly Designed Web Site

admin — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:57:23 +0000

Release Date : September 7, 2007

September 5, 2007, APPLETON, Wis., — Pierce Manufacturing Inc., North America’s leading manufacturer of fire and rescue apparatus, launched a newly designed corporate Web site, on-line at www.piercemfg.com. The site showcases all of the Pierce innovative product line up offerings — including the recently launched Velocity™ and Impel™ chassis — safety features such as the industry’s first frontal air bags, and new customer deliveries. The site also includes direct links to the Contender^® by Pierce and Pierce Homeland Security Web sites.

The new Pierce Web site meets the needs of fire fighters searching for apparatus information. Navigation through the site has been designed for easier click-through to locate the Pierce dealer network faster, or find information on aftermarket parts, accessories and service centers. Pierce Gear™ — the Pierce clothing and merchandise section — provides greater e-commerce capabilities to order merchandise and collectibles. The History section was enhanced with more information and photography, and the Career sections provides an easier on-line application process.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], 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 the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

PIERCE – Debuts PUC

admin — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 06:03:23 +0000

New Pierce offering eliminates pumphouse in fire apparatus
Pierce® PUC Modernizes Fire Apparatus Design

The Pierce® PUC debuts in April 2007.

April 19, 2007, APPLETON, Wis. – Today Pierce Manufacturing Inc., North America’s leading manufacturer of fire and rescue apparatus, unveiled its newest product – the PUC – at the Fire Department Instructor’s Conference in Indianapolis. The Pierce Ultimate Configuration (PUC) dramatically changes the way the fire service configures apparatus by removing the bulky pumphouse without compromising fire fighting capabilities.The PUC is an industry-changing multi-purpose response vehicle. Pierce considers it to be the biggest news the fire apparatus industry has seen since the invention of the custom chassis.

“Some may find it hard to imagine that you can actually design a truck without the bulky pumphouse. By making better use of this space, the PUC will change how fire fighters do their job better and safer, and has the potential to change the industry,” said John Randjelovic, president of Pierce Manufacturing. To develop this product, Pierce conducted industry research to deliver what fire departments said they wanted and needed in a first response vehicle.

The five most significant benefits of the PUC for fire fighters include:

Easier to use

Easier to stay safer

Easier to store more

Easier to service and maintain

Easier to maneuverIn addition to eliminating the bulky pumphouse, the PUC features a simplified two-step pump shift operation. It also positions the pump operator next to hose connections rather than over them, and the pump panel is redesigned for easier use. Hosebeds, crosslays and ladder access are lowered for better ergonomic use. The entire pump system is also located above the frame for easier and quicker service and maintenance. With a shortened wheelbase for improved maneuverability (as low as 172”*), the PUC also provides up to 500 cubic-feet of storage.*“The PUC is a dramatic improvement to fire fighting apparatus design. By eliminating the pumphouse, departments can use that extra space and room for equipment and gear,” said Randjelovic. “It provides many benefits to fire fighters and municipalities with a safer two-step pump operation and easier maintenance, which means the truck spends more time on the frontline than in a service bay.”

The PUC, with patent-pending technology, is available on Pierce custom chassis, has a tank capacity of up to 1,600 gal., a pump range of up to 1,500 gpm, a 6-year standard warranty on the pump, a compartment load rating to 500 pounds each, and a 10-year structural warranty. Wheelbase offerings come in 172” to 212” (depending on body size and chassis).

* dependent on body size and chassis.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], 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 the Side Roll Protection™ System to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

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Pierce – First to sell ESC

admin — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 06:04:34 +0000

Electronic Stability Control offering first certification from Meritor Wabco in fire industry
Pierce First To Sell ESC Into Fire Industry

April 11, 2007, APPLETON, Wis. – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., the leading manufacturer of custom fire and rescue apparatus in North America , received the first certification of Electronic Stability Control (ESC) from Meritor Wabco. Available for sale April 19, 2007, ESC can be applied to Pierce® pumpers, aerial ladders and platforms, tankers and rescues. ESC is integral to the anti-lock braking system and intervenes when the vehicle begins to experience a loss of directional control to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle.“While working with Pierce in 2005, Meritor Wabco initiated discussions to offer Electronic Stability Control, a new product. Together we worked diligently through the testing and certification process, and now Pierce is the first to offer the product to the market,” said John Morrison, president of Meritor Wabco.

“Similar to electronic stability control systems found on passenger cars and SUVs, ESC helps the driver maintain directional control of fire apparatus during lane changes and cornering maneuvers. We are pleased to be the first fire apparatus manufacturer to receive certification from Meritor Wabco as Pierce continues to lead the industry with first-to-market innovations,” said John Randjelovic, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Adding ESC to the Pierce safety product lineup provides a stronger Protection from Every Angle™ safety program.”

Pierce is the first fire apparatus manufacturer to offer ESC systems on tankers and heavy duty rescue fire apparatus. These apparatus typically have a higher center of gravity, which is a factor in situations where vehicle control can be compromised.

ESC reduces the risk of loss of directional control, improves driver safety and accident avoidance and reduces steering effort, and is especially noticeable when driving in less than desirable or slippery conditions. Roll stability control is an additional capability included. When a potential roll event is detected, the ESC multiple sensors automatically apply brake pressure to the necessary axle and wheel ends, reduces engine speed and allows the driver to better negotiate a corner or lane change. While stability control systems add another layer of occupant protection, they cannot prevent loss of vehicle control in all situations. It is always recommended that safe driving practices as dictated by the driving conditions be followed.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], 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 the Side Roll Protections system and frontal occupant airbag protection to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

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Pierce Reports – Boston Aerial Ladder Accident

admin — Sat, 24 Feb 2007 06:06:01 +0000

Pierce Reports That Previous Damage Caused Boston Aerial Ladder Accident
APPLETON, Wis. (February 23, 2007) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., reported today that the Pierce 100-foot medium-duty ladder involved in an accident with the Boston Fire Department had been damaged in one or more previous incidents. Pierce believes this damage led to the malfunction on Tuesday, February 20. In response to the Tuesday night accident, Pierce immediately dispatched two aerial engineers who analyzed the ladder and found:

Pre-existing damage to the turntable console that houses the ladder controls.
A new “neutral” position had been hand-written next to the RAISE/LOWER control lever on the console.
Damage to the linkage on the RAISE/LOWER valve. The linkage was both bent and loose.

This damage prevented the ladder from maintaining its position when the operator released the control valve, after positioning the ladder at the fire scene. In effect, the damaged control system lowered the ladder onto the building, resulting in the damage to the ladder.

Boston Fire Chief Kevin MacCurtain said, “We’re extremely pleased with Pierce’s assistance on this incident. Their engineers arrived quickly and completed a thorough inspection of our other three Pierce ladder trucks. After hearing the engineers’ report, I was confident in putting these ladders back in service, and confident in sending them to respond to a six-alarm fire that night. The Pierce ladders operated flawlessly at the blazing North End fire.” Chief McCurtain continued, “Based on these inspections and the performance we have experienced with their apparatus, I have all the confidence in the world in Pierce apparatus. Boston Fire Department looks forward to working with Pierce on repairing and returning Ladder 15 to service.”

Wilson Jones, Pierce vice president of sales and marketing, added, “We are relieved and thankful that no one was injured as a result of this accident. We take any incidents involving our fire apparatus very seriously, because we understand just how critical it is that they perform at all times, and our response to this incident reflected that.”

The three other Pierce medium-duty aerial ladders in use with the Boston Fire Department were also inspected, found free of damage and returned to service.

Pierce has discussed their findings with the Boston Fire Department and will be issuing a final written report to the department on Monday, February 26.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], 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 the Side Roll Protection™ System to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

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Pierce Signs $37.2 Million Contract With U.S. Army

admin — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 22:04:44 +0000

Pierce TFFT vehicle.

JANUARY 4, 2007, Appleton, Wis. – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, announced it will begin fulfilling a five-year, $37.2 million contract with the U.S. Army for 51 Pierce® Tactical Fire Fighting Trucks (TFFTs). The vehicles will be delivered for deployment through August 2009. To date, Pierce has supplied 87 TFFTs to the U.S. Army.“This new contract is a strong vote of confidence in the capabilities of the TFFT and in our expertise in engineering and manufacturing a state-of-the-art firefighting vehicle,” said Jim Parker, vice president government and homeland security sales at Pierce. “Pierce is proud to continue to provide the U.S. Army with the TFFT.”

The versatile TFFT was jointly developed by Pierce and its parent company Oshkosh Truck Corporation as a multifunctional vehicle designed for structural fire protection, wildland firefighting, fuel and ammunition storage protection and rescue extrication. The TFFT is built on the Oshkosh® HEMTT M977 chassis with a 210” wheelbase, a Detroit Diesel 445 hp engine and tandem front and rear axles. The TFFT can ford 48 inches of water and climb a 60 percent grade at maximum GVW.

The firefighting system includes a 1,000 gpm single-stage pump, Class A and B foam systems, twin 60-gallon foam cells, a 500 gpm roof turret, a 250 gpm bumper turret, a hydraulic generator and telescoping lights.

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation [NYSE: OSK], 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 the Side Roll Protection™ System to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.