California FD Orders Pierce Equipment with Paccar MX-13 Big Block Engine

Pierce Manufacturing announced that the City of San Jose Fire Department in California has placed an order for one Pierce Ascendant 107-foot Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder on an Arrow XT chassis and three Enforcer Pumpers. The new fire apparatus will include Paccar MX-13 big block engines.

Paccar MX-13 engines are built in Mississippi exclusively for Paccar-owned Kenworth Truck Company and Peterbilt Motors Company. With the 2021 Paccar MX Engine model year, Paccar and Pierce began an exclusive venture to offer the MX-13 engine to the fire industry. The MX-13 engine is known for its innovation and reliability in heavy-duty applications and it undergoes one-million-mile endurance testing to validate high mileage durability.

“We had experienced fire engineers operate the vehicle, and they were impressed with the performance in all areas of our coverage from downtown urban areas to the East Foothills. The lighter weight motor is a big factor, and its size integrates well with the chassis, allowing for a more spacious and maneuverable captain’s space in the cab,” said Joseph Crivello, battalion chief for the San Jose Fire Department.

San Jose Fire Department’s new fire apparatus will feature:

Ascendant 107-foot Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder

• Arrow XT chassis
• Paccar MX-13 big block engine
• Allison transmission
• 6 KW Harrison generator
• TAK-4 Independent Suspension
• Hendrickson Air Ride suspension on the drive axles
• Side roll and frontal impact protection

Pierce Enforcer Pumpers

• Enforcer chassis
• Paccar MX-13 big block engine
• 500-gallon water tank
• Waterous 1500 gpm two-stage pump
• TAK-4 Independent Suspension
• Covered hose bed and 68-inch high crosslay
• Hose reel
• Carcinogen Awareness and Reduction to Exposure (CARE) cab customization, including vinyl seats and metal floor.

Chief Crivello added, “The maneuverability and capabilities of the Pierce Ascendant 107-foot Tiller are amazing, and we look forward to replacing an older 100-foot tiller with this essential upgrade as there are numerous high rises under construction in our downtown areas. Additionally, one new engine is a fleet add which will go to a new fire station, station 37, opening in early 2022 to support population increases and system coverage improvements.”

The San Jose Fire Department serves 1.2 million residents and responds to over 91,000 service calls per year out of 33 fire stations. San Jose is the third most populous city in California (after Los Angeles and San Diego) and the tenth most populous in the United States. The department is the emergency service provider for an international airport, seven major hospitals, a professional sports arena, 108 high-rise structures, and more.