Apparatus Showcase: Lake Havasu City Updates Fleet
Lake Havasu City (Ariz.) has taken delivery of five Pierce Velocity apparatus -- one 105-foot aerial and four pumpers.The apparatus were acquired through a lease-to-purchase program and will join a 2008 Pierce Velocity pumper making the entire frontline fleet all made by Pierce.
“An important objective of our department was to standardize apparatus, and every one of our six stations now is home to a Pierce Velocity vehicle,” said John Kowalski, Lake Havasu City Fire Department fire captain and head of the apparatus purchasing committee. “Pierce’s ability to customize the body configuration to provide extra storage was very important. And the Detroit DD13 engine is a big point of difference between Pierce and others we considered.”
“The Velocity chassis, matched with the Pierce exclusive DD13 big block engine, has been an excellent performer for the department since 2008,” said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. “As a rural fire department, and one without nearby mutual aid, Lake Havasu City first responders need to be self-sufficient. Pierce is proud to meet the need.”
The four identical Pierce Velocity pumpers each feature the Pierce-exclusive Detroit Diesel DD13 450 hp big block engine, a Command Zone advanced electronics system, a raised roof cab, seating for six firefighters, a 19-inch extended front bumper, two EMS cabinets, and full depth compartments (with LED strip lighting).
The firefighting system includes a 1,500-gpm single stage pump, a 750-gallon water tank, a Husky 3-single agent foam system (with a 20-gallon foam cell), a full complement of ground ladders, two crosslays, and a deluge monitor.
Also built on a Velocity chassis, the 105-foot heavy-duty aerial ladder features a DD13 500 hp engine, tandem rear axles, seating for six firefighters, a rear view camera, and a dual module vehicle data recorder. The body is equipped with a 500-gallon water tank, ground ladder storage inside the torque box, and full-height and full-depth compartments.
“Our vehicle replacement program had been delayed for some time, and Fire Chief Dennis Mueller built a plan for the city council and finance department to evaluate,” said Kowalski. “The bottom line is we made an excellent investment for the department and the community. In fact, other departments are contacting us to learn more about how we put this package together.” (Departments are invited to email Chief Muller [email protected] to learn more about the plan.)
Lake Havasu City Fire Department provides fire and emergency medical services to citizens and visitors in a 42 square mile response district. The department operates six fire stations and features specialized teams able to respond to hazardous materials incidents, and a wide range of technical rescue operations.
Lake Havasu City is located in Mohave County, Arizona and is home to the historic London Bridge. The structure was purchased, dismantled and shipped from England and then reassembled in Lake Havasu in the early 1970s. Today it attracts visitors from across the country and around the globe.
Pierce dealer, Hughes Fire Equipment, provides local service and support.
About Pierce Manufacturing Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, celebrated its 100th year in business in 2013. Pierce is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus.
Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, 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.
