Fire departments across Canada face unique challenges as they seek new apparatus, from vast distances to travel to varied terrains and unique station requirements.

Pierce Manufacturing and its Canadian dealers bring innovation directly to fire departments through trade shows, factory visits, neighboring department visits, and this year, an ambitious road rally.

Pierce Manufacturing’s Canadian Road Rally was designed with one mission in mind: to meet departments where they are. By delivering real-world, hands-on experiences, Pierce and its dealers ensured first responders could see, drive and operate apparatus in environments reflective of their daily work.

"We organized demonstrations across the region and enjoyed sharing Pierce’s apparatus innovation with fire responders and local fire departments.  — Marie-Pier Dupuis, L’Arsenal

The Canadian Road Rally Experience

Over the course of nearly six weeks, Pierce and its dealer network hit the road, covering more than 1,700 kilometers across central and eastern Canada. The road rally was intended to bring innovative, industry-leading apparatus directly to departments in Canadian communities. Here were just some of the key details.

• Small, focused stops: The tour was intentionally designed with smaller, focused stops. Each stop offered firefighters the opportunity to immerse themselves in the trucks, not just observe them from a distance.
• Demo-rich environments: The road rally offered a hands-on learning environment. Firefighters had the opportunity to open compartments, view various configurations and components and operate the apparatus in real-world scenarios. Firefighters deployed and operated Ascendant® aerials, testing everything from below-grade rescue operations to high-rise rescue.
• Designed for ride-and-drive: At each stop, fire department members were encouraged to drive the trucks, whether it was into their station bays or through the local communities. It gave departments an understanding of the maneuverability and operational functions of industry-leading fire apparatus. 

"We structured the Canadian Road Rally so departments could touch, drive, fly and really feel the apparatus, things you simply can’t do when a truck is parked at a trade show."  — Carey Feduniw, General Manager, Commercial Emergency Equipment

Pierce® Volterra™ EV Mini Road Rally

Before the 2025 Canadian Road Rally apparatus hit the highways, Pierce and its dealers completed a similar tour in late 2024. The “mini road rally” showcased the Pierce® Volterra™ electric fire truck across Canada, giving departments a chance to experience Pierce’s electric apparatus innovation up close.

The success of this initiative proved the value of bringing apparatus directly to departments and helped pave the way for an expanded Canadian Road Rally in 2025 with multiple apparatus.

Canadian Fire Truck Showstoppers

Departments didn’t just look at the trucks; they tested them in any scenario they could imagine. Below-grade rescues, tight corner maneuvers, aerial setup and even water flow demonstrations.

Here are a few of the standout Pierce apparatus firefighters had the opportunity to drive and test during the Road Rally:

Enforcer™ Ascendant® 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower (Featuring TAK-4 T3™ Independent Rear Suspension)

With T3 rear steering, the Enforcer Ascendant 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower was a firefighter favorite. Crews were surprised at its impressive turning radius and setup speed, critical for busy municipalities with narrow streets and space constraints.

Additional truck specifications:

• 100’ mid-mount tower with TAK-4 T3™ IRS rear steer
• 70” cab with 10” raised roof
• Seating for five (5)
• 525 hp Cummins X15 engine
• 1,500-gpm pump, 500-gallon tank
• Husky™ 3 Foam System

Departments quickly realized how maneuverable a heavy-duty aerial could be.

Enforcer™ Ascendant® 107' Heavy-Duty Ladder - Single Rear Axle

The Enforcer™ Ascendant® 107' Heavy-Duty Ladder proved size and performance can coexist. Its single rear axle reduces licensing requirements, making it an ideal choice for smaller departments which still need aerial capabilities.

For many Canadian departments, this “impossible fire truck” stood out as a big deal, delivering reach, maneuverability and performance without compromise.

Additional truck specifications:

• 70” cab with raised roof
• Seating for six (6)
• 510 hp PACCAR MX-13 engine
• 2,000-gpm pump, 500-gallon tank
• Compact overall length: 39’ 1.5"

"To see how so much iron can be so nimble and so quick to set up, it really impressed the departments, especially those coming from fleets with older aerials."  — Jamie Zimmerman, Sales Manager, Commercial Emergency Equipment

Enforcer™ PUC™ Pumper 

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the road rally was the Enforcer™ PUC™ Pumper. While firefighters praised its performance, apparatus maintenance teams were particularly impressed by its serviceability.

Additional truck specifications:

• Chassis: 70” cab with 10” raised roof
• Easy pump house 
• Tilt-cab design revealed unmatched service access
• 2,000-gpm pump, 750-gallon tank
• TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension
• 510 hp PACCAR MX-13 engine
• Husky™ 3 Foam System with a 20-gallon foam cell

Time and again, mechanics pointed out how the design of the PUC pumper would make life in the shop easier given the greatly expanded access to the pumphouse.

Fire Department Takeaways

Fire departments walked away with more than just a brochure from a trade show; they gained real-world operational insights in an unconstrained environment.

Unlike trucks on display at an expo (where they usually remain parked and powered off) or a visit to another department’s in-service rig (where ride-and-drive demonstrations are more challenging), the Canadian Road Rally gave firefighting crews the freedom to truly put Pierce apparatus to the test.

For many, it was the first time they could fully touch, drive, set up and operate Pierce fire apparatus in ways impossible anywhere else.

"The Canadian Road Rally gave first responders a chance to maneuver apparatus in real-world scenarios and fly the aerial . . . that’s when they really saw what Pierce apparatus is capable of."  — Marie-Pier Dupuis, L’Arsenal

The level of hands-on access created not only a better understanding of the apparatus, but also stronger connections between departments and the Pierce dealer teams supporting them.

In Case You Missed It: What’s Next?

While plans are in the works for a future Canadian Road Rally, departments still have a chance to see Pierce apparatus firsthand.

Reach out to your local Pierce dealer to learn more about visiting a Pierce Manufacturing facility in person.

The Pierce Canadian Road Rally uncovered one key truth: showing up makes all the difference.

"We brought these trucks to customers who may not normally get a chance to see this caliber of apparatus, and that matters." — Jamie Zimmerman, Sales Manager, Commercial Emergency Equipment

Through trucks, people and time, Pierce demonstrated its commitment to supporting firefighters where they live and work.

Whether you’re a long-time Pierce customer or just starting to research your next apparatus purchase, there’s always a path to experience Pierce equipment firsthand. Take a look at our helpful purchasing guide to learn more.

Which truck impressed you most? Let us know in the comments.