APPLETON, WI (Jan. 6, 2020) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced today that it has further improved safety in the fire industry by collaborating with HAAS, Inc. d/b/a HAAS Alert to offer digital collision avoidance technology as a standard integration on Appleton-built custom chassis produced for domestic and Canadian municipal customers, and as an available aftermarket solution for apparatus currently in service. HAAS Alert’s Safety Cloud works by sending real-time digital alerts from a hardware device mounted within the cab of a fire truck to nearby motorists via mobile navigation apps (e.g., Waze) and vehicle infotainment screens. System integration will begin on trucks that are in the production process in early 2020.
Jeromie Johnston, VP of Segment Strategy and Business Development for Pierce, said of the collaboration, “As a leader in the fire apparatus manufacturing market, Pierce doesn’t just meet safety requirements—we continuously seek methods and tools to further improve safety. Adding HAAS Alert’s collision avoidance service as a standard safety solution to our custom fire apparatus demonstrates our commitment to customer safety.”
A 2013 University of Minnesota study notes that the risk of collision between a civilian vehicle and an emergency vehicle can be greatly reduced when nearby drivers receive an advanced warning about the hazardous situation. HAAS Alert’s collision avoidance technology sends an alert to a motorist’s mobile device if they are in the vicinity of an emergency vehicle that is in route or positioned at the scene.
“Distracted driving continues to be a major concern on roadways as members of fire service put themselves at risk while responding to emergencies both in route and positioned at a scene,” said Jim Johnson, president of Pierce Manufacturing. “Working with HAAS Alert enables us to offer an innovative new way to incorporate technology that extends beyond the fire apparatus to support safety protocol for firefighters and members of the communities they serve.”
HAAS Alert’s mission is to make roadways safer by alerting drivers of emergency vehicles. Cory Hohs, co-founder and CEO of HAAS Alert, stated, “Despite increased measures put into place
by public safety agencies and the rise of initiatives including Vision Zero and the Move Over law, roadway collisions involving first responders and motorists continue to increase year over year.”
Since launching two years ago, the Safety Cloud has delivered more than 100 million driver alerts. The alerts extend the reach of traditional lights and sirens to improve motorist awareness, allowing more time for drivers to make safe maneuvers and comply with Move Over laws.
To learn more about HAAS Alert, visit www.haasalert.com.
About HAAS Alert
HAAS Alert delivers awareness of responding emergency vehicles and other municipal fleets to connected and autonomous cars, aiding motorists and vehicles to make safer, smarter driving decisions. The company streams vital safety information in the form of real-time digital alerts to drivers and connected cars via in-vehicle systems and smartphone apps when emergency vehicles are approaching and on-scene. To learn more, visit www.haasalert.com or contact [email protected].
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, mini pumpers, 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
At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs more than 15,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common cause: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Frontline™, Jerr-Dan®, Oshkosh® Airport Products, CON-E-CO® and London™. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.
