APPLETON, Wis. (May 31, 2023) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) company, announced the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department has placed an order for 18 custom fire apparatus, including 17 Pierce fire trucks and one Frontline Communications mobile command vehicle. The new fire and emergency vehicles represent the first order in a $52 million fleet replacement initiative for the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department to support sustainability and fleet operation and mechanics standardization initiatives.
Sold through authorized Pierce dealer South Coast Fire Equipment, the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s new fire apparatus order includes one Pierce® Volterra™ electric pumper, six traditional pumpers, four Ascendant® 102’ Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladders, one Heavy-Duty Rescue Hazmat Unit, two Freightliner 114SD Dry-Side Tankers, three Freightliner M2-106 Type 3 Pumpers, and one Frontline Communications Mobile Command Unit.
“We purchased our first Pierce fire apparatus in 1991,” said James Gaboury, deputy fire chief of San Diego Fire-Rescue’s Logistics Division. “We’ve developed a trusted 20-plus year relationship with South Coast Fire Equipment, and because of a longstanding proven track record, our goal is to maintain an entirely Pierce fleet to provide a consistent fire apparatus platform for our firefighters and mechanics.”
The new fire apparatus feature many leading-edge components, including TAK-® Independent Suspension, carcinogen reduction features, ergonomic controls, storage placement consistent with the department’s operational and safety requirements, and more.
The City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s new Volterra electric pumper was selected after a thorough review of the apparatus’ placements in Madison, Wisconsin and Portland, Oregon. The electric fire truck will support the City of San Diego’s sustainability and fleet electrification initiatives. Additionally, the department’s new Frontline Communications mobile command vehicle will incorporate advanced design and integrated communication systems. The state-of-the-art vehicle will include four slide-outs, a large conference room, twin mast system, 25 video displays, IP mesh network (allowing for an integrated network throughout the region), Avtec dispatch system, and a vast array of communications capabilities.
“It has been an honor to collaborate with the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue Department on a fire apparatus and emergency vehicle order of such significance,” said Kevin Newell, president of South Coast Fire Equipment. “As the fleet becomes further standardized and incorporates the most advanced resources available, our team remains a dedicated partner committed to providing the highest level of support during every stage of the process and the life of these integral vehicles.”
The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department serves a population of over 1.4 million citizens and responds to approximately 178,000 incidents annually. The department has more than 1,380 sworn and civilian personnel based at 51 career fire stations and one air operations station.
Chief Gaboury continued, “We appreciate the support of our Fleet Services Division, which is instrumental in all apparatus and vehicle purchases, including this pivotal emergency vehicle order. I look forward to seeing the firefighters’ pride and excitement when they welcome the new apparatus into service.”
