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3 Ways to Simplify the Fire Apparatus Design and Ordering Process

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The process of purchasing a fire apparatus can be both exciting and complex. Designing and ordering an apparatus will have a critical impact on your community for many years to come. Fire departments and fire truck committees are tasked with balancing many key considerations, from intended use of the apparatus, call volume, environmental and population factors, ideal service life, budget and much more. This process can be especially overwhelming when departments face tight budgets and delivery time constraints.

To design, order and produce an apparatus aligned with your department's needs while keeping the process simplified, keep these three considerations in mind.

1. Conduct a Needs Assessment 

Fire-truck-needs-assessmentOne of the most important aspects of simplifying the ordering process and accelerating lead time is to conduct a needs assessment with the fire apparatus’ intended use in mind. Fire department leaders typically put standard operating guidelines into place which have a significant impact on the role of the apparatus. These guidelines, as well as a community’s current and future needs, in addition to environmental factors, may dictate department operations and the required apparatus design features. There are many factors to consider and discuss with your apparatus dealer including the following:

  • Delivery time and budget constraints
  • Quantity of apparatus needed and variations of each
  • Apparatus’ primary function
  • Additional functions desired
  • Community, demographic, and environmental factors and regulations
  • Physical restrictions regarding apparatus’ operating area
  • Projected run level and average number of occupants
  • Space accommodation for equipment and other custom features

As you consider your needs assessment, a step-by-step fire apparatus design resource is available to you. From basic definitions to complex configurations and component possibilities, view the Pierce apparatus guide to get expert insights now.

Did you know consortiums are an easier way for fire departments to bid on the best apparatus? Learn more in this informative blog post.

2. Work With a Trusted Fire Apparatus Dealer

Fire-truck-dealerAnother aspect of simplifying and accelerating the apparatus ordering process is to align your department with a trusted and knowledgeable dealer. When you have parameters in place concerning budget and delivery time, a dedicated sales representative will ensure you do not have to compromise on customization, special feature requirements and quality.

Pierce apparatus dealers have extensive experience and a high level of understanding when it comes to available apparatus products and features. Additionally, their regional experience means they have extensive knowledge on what has successfully been put into service by other departments. In fact, there are times when customizations can be minimized, and the process streamlined within every element of the design, development, approval and production process. Working closely with your dealer to develop a timeline to fit your department’s needs and mutually agreed upon by the manufacturer, will ensure the production of your apparatus is completed with a strong focus on the projected delivery date.

Do you have additional questions about apparatus features, components or design terms? You can find all the answers in Pierceopedia.

3. Consider Rapid Configurator Resources

In recent years, some fire apparatus manufacturers have developed web-based product configurations to assist with the planning and visualization of specifications for vehicles. In many cases, these configurations offer reduced feature customization options and have been used primarily to enable slight modifications and quick turnaround of stock trucks. The launch of Pierce Manufacturing’s Build My Pierce™ (BMP™) rapid configurator has taken online apparatus design and specification planning tools to another level.

BMP not only simplifies the fire apparatus buying process, but also offers an efficient approach to planning the specifications of highly-customized fire apparatus. Shortened lead times are available, depending on slot availability. BMP offers customization options for: 

  • Custom Cabs
    • Enforcer™
    • Saber®
    • Velocity®
    • Impel®
  • PUC™
  • Aerials
    • 110’ Heavy-Duty Single & Tandem Ascendant® Platform
    • 107’ Heavy-Duty Single & Tandem Ascendant® Ladder
    • 105’ Heavy-Duty Ladder
    • 100’ Heavy-Duty Platform
    • 100' Heavy-Duty Tower
    • 75’ Aluminum Ladder
  • Commercial Tankers
  • Pumpers

Other attributes of BMP include: 

  • Streamlined and accelerated process from design, to order placement, to delivery for both dealers and fire department / purchasing representatives
  • Less churn with details finalized early in the process and a scheduled customer visit to Pierce 
  • Over 1,500 available options and market-trending customizations available
  • Customizations available are based on market-trend and apparatus features that have previously been put into service
  • Customization options for engines, suspensions systems, cab lengths, side roll protection, frontal airbags, electrical systems and more

BMP is not the perfect fit for every apparatus order as some departments require unlimited configuration options and features. BMP could be a valuable option if you are looking for an efficient ordering process and accelerated delivery for apparatus with a higher level of customization options than stock vehicles.

When your mission is to keep your community safe, your options shouldn’t be limited.

You can learn more about the BMP program in this blog post: Fire Apparatus Configurator: 6 Benefits of Build My Pierce.


Take a look at recent deliveries that were produced utilizing Build My Pierce.

Sewickley Township Volunteer Fire Company & Relief Association No.4 - Pumper

A red Sewickley Township Volunteer Fire Company & Relief Association pumper is on an asphalt surface with three flag poles and trees in the background

The Sewickley Township Volunteer Fire Company & Relief Association pumper features an Enforcer™ chassis powered by a 450 hp Cummins L9 engine. The apparatus boasts a 750-gallon water tank, and is equipped with a 1500 gpm pump. The pumper engine also features a Husky™ 3 foam system.

Learn more and download the drawing of this pumper here.

Indianapolis Fire Department - Pumper

The red and white Indianapolis Fire Department pumper is parked on an asphalt surface with three flag poles and green vegetation in the background.

The Indianapolis Fire Department’s Saber® pumper features a 450 hp Cummins L9 engine. The fire truck has a 500 gallon water tank with a Waterous midship-mounted 2000 gpm pump.

See the detailed specifications of this apparatus here.

Omaha Fire Department - Aerial

The red Omaha Fire Department aerial fire truck is parked on an asphalt surface with three flag poles, snow and trees in the background.

The Omaha Fire Department Ascendant® 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower features an Enforcer™ chassis with an overall height of 10' 11". The apparatus has a 510 hp PACCAR MX-13 engine, TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension and Command Zone™ technology.

View more information about the Omaha Fire Department’s aerial apparatus now.

Pierce Manufacturing is committed to delivering reliable, high-performance fire apparatus. From the initial consultation and design phase to detailed engineering and rigorous testing, Pierce ensures that every step is executed with precision.

Contact your local Pierce dealer to learn more about accelerating and simplifying the apparatus buying process and to give BMP a try yourself.
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Posted: Sep 18, 2024 8:30:00 AM by Pierce Mfg.

Topics: Manufacturing, Fire Industry

About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, and homeland security apparatus. In addition, Pierce designs its own foam systems and was the first company to introduce frontal airbags and the Side Roll Protection system to fire apparatus. To learn more about Pierce, visit www.piercemfg.com.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the Company's ability to successfully integrate the AeroTech acquisition and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; the risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act;  the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate other acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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