New Pierce Aluminum Aerial Platform Generates a Following North of the Border
|
The town of Morinville lies just outside of Edmonton, Alberta, and the Fire Department’s protection district includes single-family homes, apartment buildings, (ranging from three to five stories tall), a large sports complex and an industrial park. In addition, the department’s responsibilities include mutual aid response for four neighboring communities including a city of 50,000.
The fire department and community leaders took the long view when planning to purchase a new apparatus. The objective was to purchase a vehicle with multiple capabilities. “For the next 20 years, this vehicle will be a front line apparatus for our community, so it was critical that we make a choice that would serve the present and future needs of our department. This was one of those decisions that will impact our department beyond my tenure as fire chief,” said Ron Cust, Morinville Fire Department Fire Chief.
|
|
 |
In addition to performing as a front line pumper and responding to aerial rescues, the Pierce aluminum aerial platform is equipped to support technical rescues such as water emergencies along rivers and lakes in the region. “The vehicle plays a pivotal role in our department’s fire and emergency response strategies. We have quite a few bodies of water in the area, and we’re the only department in the region that has a trained water rescue team. The Pierce aerial’s below grade performance, along with the rescue equipment we carry on board, give us excellent water rescue capabilities.”
The purchase process was detailed and involved. “We first saw the Pierce aluminum aerial platform at FDIC (Fire Department Instructors Conference), and we compared it to other units on display at the exposition. We developed a very tight specification and invited all the major players to respond. Pierce and their dealer delivered an excellent report and answered every question, and subsequently delivered a state-of-the-art vehicle that will enhance fire and emergency services to citizens throughout our response area.”
“We evaluated a number of manufacturers and there were two keys that led us to Pierce. First, Pierce delivered an excellent report and proposal to us in their bid. They answered every question we had. And, the features and technologies on the aluminum aerial met our requirements for safety and performance. The first thing I noticed was when we opened the Quantum door and the steps automatically folded down to a low height. I can open the door and easily step up into it. So, it accommodates all sizes of firefighters. In addition, the ease of operation of the aerial itself is quite amazing – easy to control – and that makes a world of difference when rescuing people off of apartment buildings or in below grade rescues on one of our bodies of water.”
The vehicle features a 100-foot aluminum platform, TAK-4® independent front suspension, seating for six firefighters, LED scene lights, and a 4-way rear vision camera. The firefighting system includes a 2,000-gpm single stage pump, Husky® 12 foam system with 30-gallon foam cell and a Control Zone™ pump panel. The 3-section aluminum aerial device features LED lighting along its entire length for enhanced visibility, breathing air to the turntable and to the tip, a monitor with wireless remote control, and brackets for emergency tools.
The vehicle is designed to carry a wide range of rescue gear, including a full complement of rescue tools, ladders and ventilation equipment. In addition, the vehicle carries enough water and foam to handle structural fires, so it can play a primary role in protecting the many 4-5,000 square foot homes in the area. “Pierce and our local dealer, Wholesale Fire and Rescue, spent a lot of hours with my team devoted to making sure each compartment would hold what we needed to put in there. There was always a very positive response to our requests and questions.”
Maneuverability is another key for the department. “We’ve got some pretty tight streets in our town. I’ve got full time drivers in my department who truly understand vehicle dynamics, and the handling is just amazing.”
Word has spread throughout western Canada. “Pierce answered the call with this vehicle. It has met and exceeded our expectations. Fire Chiefs from all over the region are contacting us for information.”
Pierce dealer Wholesale Fire & Rescue is a full line sales and service distributor of fire apparatus and equipment for Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Saskatchewan, and Yukon.