Arizona Fire Departments Secure Contract for Electric Pumper

Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department in Arizona recently secured a contract with Pierce Manufacturing to arrange a Pierce Volterra zero-emissions pumper with an Oshkosh patented parallel-electric drivetrain into service with Station No. 2.

This is Pierce’s third Volterra electric pumper placement for Gilbert Fire and Rescue. Other placements include the city of Madison, Wisconsin Fire Department, and the city of Portland, Oregon Fire and Rescue.

With each location having different climates, Pierce can collect vehicle performance data for the Volterra electric fire truck in various environmental conditions.

The Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department is led by Fire Chief Rob Duggan and is made up of 11 fire stations and 276 members.

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner with Pierce to add the Volterra electric pumper to our fire fleet because this partnership reflects and exemplifies Gilbert’s mission to anticipate and recognize the current and future needs of all who reside in the areas we serve,” said Chief Duggan.

“An additional attribute critical to our department is the Volterra pumper will allow us the benefit of exploring ways to eliminate cancer-causing diesel exhaust particles from our fire stations.”

Volterra Electric Fire Truck Specs

Gilbert Fire and Rescue’s Volterra Electric Vehicle Configuration includes:

• Pierce Velocity custom chassis, expanding continuity among Gilbert’s current Pierce fire apparatus fleet.
• A seating capacity of six.
• GVWR: 42,000 lb.
• TAK-4 independent front suspension.
• A 500-gallon water tank.
• A 1500 GPM single-stage pump.
• A 150-plus cubic feet ladder storage compartment.
• A gose capacity of 1000 ft of 5 in./850 ft. of 2.5in.
• Oshkosh patented parallel-electric drivetrain featuring an electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission.
• Zero-emissions operation when powered by integrated onboard batteries, coupled with an internal combustion engine to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system.
• An operational range tailored to the fire department’s needs and duty cycle for full-shift operation.

The “City of the Future”

In 2019, Gilbert launched an initiative to become the “City of the Future.” To achieve this, carbon footprint reduction, fleet technologies, and systems to improve efficiencies will be needed.

Fleet electrification is an integral part of moving the city’s vision forward, in addition to multiple initiatives to explore how to make Gilbert a sustainable community in the future.

Chief Duggan added, “Pierce brought a fair and balanced approach to our early discussions and understood the importance of ensuring positive outcomes for both sides. The support of our mayor, town council, town management, and the many departments which support our department has also been instrumental in this agreement and will continue to be in the years to come.”

In collaboration with Gilbert Fire and Rescue, Pierce will continue developing and evaluating the Pierce Volterra electric vehicle.

As part of this development process, Gilbert’s arid, subtropical climate, intense heat during summer months, and high UV index will provide exposure and insight to additional operational environments the electric vehicle must withstand.

Pierce Manufacturing Wins Award

On October 19, Pierce Manufacturing’s Pierce Volterra zero-emissions pumper won the annual “Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin” competition.

Each year thousands of people vote for the winner, sponsored by Wisconsin Manufacturers & Commerce.

Lisa Barwick, vice president of marketing, Fire & Emergency Segment for Oshkosh Corporation said, “Pierce has been a proud Wisconsin manufacturer for over 100 years, and our team is incredibly honored to have been included among an admired group of companies and remarkable products.”