Kansas City Finances 48 Custom Fire Apparatus

The Kansas City (Mo.) Fire Department (KCFD) has ordered 48 custom fire and emergency vehicles from Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The order brings 28 pumpers, nine aerial platforms, four rescue pumpers, three heavy-duty rescues, three aerial tillers, and one Hazmat unit beginning in Spring 2016.

This order is being financed utilizing the fleet replacement-financing program offered through Pierce Financial Solutions in conjunction with PNC Equipment Finance. Kansas City has been purchasing Pierce apparatus since 2008, according to Pierce.

The 28 pumpers are built on Pierce Impel custom chassis with a 201-inch wheelbase, and each features a 450-hp engine, TAK-4 independent front suspension, Command Zone advanced electronics and control system, a raised roof cab, and a frontal and side roll protection system. The pumpers also feature a 1,500-gallon-per-minute (GPM) single stage pump, a 500-gallon water tank, full-height and full-depth compartments, and a full complement of ground ladders.

The four rescue pumpers are built on Pierce Impel custom chassis each with a 450-hp engine, TAK-4 independent suspension, Command Zone advanced electronics and control system, a raised-roof cab, Pierce’s frontal impact and side roll protection system, and seating for five firefighters. The vehicles also feature a 161-inch aluminum body, a 500-gallon water tank, and three crosslays.

The nine Pierce aluminum aerial platforms are built on Pierce Velocity custom chassis, each with a Cummins ISX15 600-hp engine, TAK-4 independent front suspension, Command Zone advanced electronics and control system, Pierce’s frontal impact and side roll protection system, and seating for six firefighters. The 100-foot aluminum aerial platform apparatus also are specified with a 2,000 GPM single stage pump, twin aerial monitors, Lyfe aerial tools at the basket, and breathing air to the tip.

The three heavy-duty combination walk-in/non-walk-in rescues are built on Pierce Velocity custom chassis with TAK-4 independent front suspension. The rescue bodies are 23.5 feet in length and 100 inches wide. They feature a portable crane 12V winch, rope anchors, 15 air bag racks, and nine large exterior compartments with a combination of slide out trays, adjustable shelves, and rollup doors, and a 30kW PTO driven generator.

The three 100-foot aluminum aerial tiller apparatus are each built on a Pierce Velocity tractor chassis and feature a 600-hp engine and TAK-4 independent suspension on both the front axle and the rear tiller trailer axle, Command Zone advanced electronics and control system, and Pierce’s frontal impact and side roll protection system. The tiller vehicles also feature a 22-inch front bumper extension, 15 exterior storage compartments, and storage for a full complement of ground ladders and pike poles.

The Hazmat vehicle will respond to major emergencies across the region. It is built on a Pierce Velocity chassis with a 20-inch raised roof cab (a three-door configuration with a rear wall walk-through), side roll and frontal impact protection, TAK-4 independent front suspension, and tandem rear axles. The vehicle also features a command area including an L-shaped desk (with overhead and under desk cabinets), interior wall cabinets, LED video monitor, a skylight escape hatch as well as a light mast, two electric awnings, roof compartments, and a fully automatic leveling system.

KCFD responds to nearly 115,000 fire protection, emergency medical service, emergency rescue, and hazardous materials call for service annually in Kansas City. The department consists of 34 fire stations organized into seven battalions and is staffed with nearly 1,400 members.