Texas FD Standardizes Fleet with 11 Apparatus Orders

The Wichita Falls Fire Department in Texas has ordered 11 custom fire apparatus built on the Pierce Enforcer chassis, according to Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company. These include eight pumpers, one Ascendant 100-foot heavy-duty aerial tower, one Ascendant 107-foot heavy-duty aerial ladder, and one heavy-duty non-walk-in rescue. The order is anticipated to be completed by April 2023.

“The new apparatus will replace our entire current frontline, with some of the existing apparatus moving into reserve status. We look forward to the fleet updates and welcoming the new trucks into service as the department expands to meet the needs of our community,” said Ken Prillaman, City of Wichita Falls Fire Chief.

Wichita Falls Fire Department’s new fire apparatus will feature:

8 Pierce Enforcer Pumpers

• Enforcer chassis
• 750-gallon water tank
• PUC 1500 gpm pump
• Cummins L9 450 hp engine
• TAK-4 Independent Suspension
• HAAS Collision Mitigation System
• Husky 3 Foam System

Ascendant 100-Foot Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower

• Enforcer chassis with 13-inch frame rails
• 300-gallon water tank
• PACCAR MX-13, 510-hp big block engine
• TAK-4 Independent Suspension
• HAAS Collision Mitigation System
• Side roll and frontal impact protection
• Integrated ground pads
• 20-foot setback capability
• 20-degree below grade operation

Ascendant 107-Foot Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder

• Enforcer chassis with 13-inch frame rails
• 500-gallon water tank
• PUC 1500 gpm pump
• PACCAR MX-13, 510-hp big block engine
• TAK-4 Independent Suspension
• Heavy-duty 107-foot steel ladder
• Quint, aluminum body
• Single rear axle
• HAAS Collision Mitigation System
• Side roll and frontal impact protection

Heavy-Duty Non-Walk-In Rescue

• Enforcer chassis
• Cummins L9, 400-hp engine
• TAK-4 Independent Suspension
• Aluminum body, non-walk-in
• HAAS Collision Mitigation System
• Side roll and frontal impact protection
• 3000-lb. rope anchors on body roof
• Harrison 6kw hydraulic generator
• Will-Burt light tower
• Plywood storage rack
• Shelves, trays, tool boards, and tool drawers

The Wichita Falls Fire Department has eight fire stations and 160 sworn personnel that respond to over 13,500 calls per year. It is credited with being the first fire department west of the Mississippi River to have a motorized fire apparatus and a 100-foot aerial apparatus.

With this purchase, the entire Wichita Falls Fire Department fleet will be made up of Pierce fire apparatus, including reserve vehicles.