Pierce introduced today at Fire Department Instructors’ Conference, FDIC, two redesigned cabs and chassis – the Enforcer and the Saber, popular classic products from one of the world’s largest fire apparatus manufacturers.
There are literally thousands of Saber-based apparatus in service from Connecticut and California and it is well known as an affordable custom chassis built from the ground up for the fire service.
This year, Pierce has re-introduced to the fire service what it calls an industry standard cab and chassis with the all new Saber. There was much speculation about what the name of the new cab and chassis would be and Pierce decided to stick with the legacy name and keep the Saber moniker.
Late in February, Pierce invited the media to look at the new cab and chassis and made the press promise it wouldn’t reveal much, if anything, about the new product – especially its name. After that event, Pierce representatives decided to take it a step further and re-introduce a retired, but extraordinarily popular cab and chassis, the Enforcer.
"Firefighters said they wanted more space," said Pierce's National Sales Manager Bobby Williams. "They said they wanted more firefighter safety built into the cab."
And Pierce provided.
To the thunder of a drum line from the Indiana Pacers, Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president of the Fire & Emergency segment and Pierce Manufacturing and Meyers unveiled the new Saber and Enforcer.
It was the culmination of months of teasing by Pierce on its web site, with the additional surprise of the Enforcer. Pierce representatives said the resurrection of the Enforcer allowed the company to offer firefighters more options than the base Saber.
According to Pierce, the new Saber was built with the value-driven firefighter in mind – just as the original. However, to that mix, Pierce has added advanced visibility, more space, improved ergonomics and streamlined serviceability, all at the affordable price that is a hallmark of the Saber line.
Among the features include a single-bonded windshield with no center post and a three-blade windshield wiper system for improved visibility.
The new cab also has a larger front door, a smaller A-pillar with improved sight lines. The cab is 96-inches wide with a lower and smaller engine tunnel for maximized space, greater seat belt access and a forward raised roof line giving more front viability and configurable space.
Perhaps one of the more unique features is a patent-pending rear wall with adjustable slots and pre-drilled holes that allow the repositioning of forward facing seats in three-inch increments. The adjustments can be done in-house, after the apparatus has been delivered by firefighters with basic hand tools.
Pierce came up with some of the features and designs on the new apparatus by using a lot of voice of the customer feedback, asking specifically what firefighters wanted from their apparatus.
Some of those improvements include exterior door handles designed for firefighters’ gloved hands, low, offset steps providing safer entry and exiting, and an ergonomically designed console and metal overhead switch panel for improved convenience and comfort.
Listening to the mechanics and the firefighters who have to maintain apparatus, Pierce repositioned the fluid check and access door to the rear portion of the engine tunnel, accessible in the rear passenger compartment area.
Access to the defroster and wiper motor through removable officer-side panels and the power distribution has been relocated to provide more interior space and fewer harnesses in the frame.
Pierce also took the time and effort to make races and channels inside the cab for additional wiring that may be added by firefighters in the future.
And a brand new item is a raised air intake that is 54 inches off the ground, perfect for emergency water fording conditions.
After the unveiling of the new Saber, Pierce’s development team decided to come up with a second newly redesigned cab and chassis, the new Enforcer which was one of the company’s most popular cab and chassis selections before the implementation of the 2007 emission changes.
The Enforcer can be used for a variety of body configurations, including aerials, the PUC pumper, rescues and tankers.
And, unlike the Saber, the new Enforcer is available with a long list of notable options, including TAK-4 independent front suspension, Detroit Diesel 13 big block engines, as well as Cummins engines, on a compact, medium-duty chassis. The new Enforcer also has standard side roll protection standard.
The Enforcer and the Saber chassis feature the same cab interior dimensions and construction materials as well as many of the features, including a 10-inch raised roof and many of the same weight ratings.
With the redesigning of two popular cabs and chassis, Pierce has positioned itself to continue to meet the needs of firefighters as they have for more than a century.
More information about the new products can be found at the company's web site www.piercemfg.com
