Portland Fire & Rescue has integrated a Pierce® Volterra™ electric fire truck into its fleet, demonstrating their city’s commitment to innovation and sustainability.

In this case study, we explore how Portland Fire & Rescue’s electric fire truck performs on the job, meets daily demands and fits into their existing fleet. Read on to learn more about the benefits and insights from their experience.

Portland Fire & Rescue Overview

Portland Fire & Rescue serves over 630,000 citizens across approximately 150 square miles. The department operates out of 31 fire stations with a diverse fleet, including engine companies, rescue units, ladder trucks, heavy squads and HAZMAT teams. Their mission is to protect life, property and the environment. Additionally, Portland Fire & Rescue has several specialty teams, including technical rescue, HAZMAT, marine and a land based shipboard firefighting team.

Portland Fire & Rescue Electric Fire Truck Performance

Portland Fire & Rescue’s Pierce Volterra electric fire truck has joined a busy fleet, handling roughly 3,500 calls per year like its traditional diesel apparatus counterparts. 

The Pierce Volterra electric fire truck is tasked with maneuvering Portland’s busy city streets and managing both short and long runs with reliable and consistent performance. To date, the truck has performed as designed, managing the majority of calls in electric mode. The fire truck is equipped with a backup internal combustion engine for prolonged emergency response scenarios, but has yet to rely heavily upon this feature. 

“Aside from the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck sticker on the side of the truck, you’d never even know this is an electric vehicle. It blends in seamlessly with the rest of our fleet.”

Firefighters and community members alike remark that the Pierce Volterra EV looks just like a traditional diesel engine powered truck and complements the existing fleet's effectiveness and efficiency.

Portland Fire & Rescue Pierce Volterra EV Quick Facts

• When was the truck placed in service? June 2023
• What is the average call volume per day? 10 calls per day
• How many of the calls have been run just on electric power? Nearly every call
• How is the acceleration and overall performance of the truck compared to a traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) powered truck? Very similar, if not better than existing diesel engines

The Benefits of Truck Familiarity

One of the key benefits of the Pierce Volterra Electric Vehicle is that it looks and operates like traditional Pierce fire trucks. As such, the vehicle can be configured to match existing fleet vehicles with ease. This is a critical consideration for a new fire apparatus investment. When a new fire truck configuration matches existing fleet apparatus, with tools and equipment in similar compartments, it reduces training requirements and improves firefighter efficiencies.

“Truck familiarity is very important to the way we work in Portland,” said Matt Fullerton, Portland Fire & Rescue Firefighter. “When our firefighters approach a high-rise fire, the driver will often go up with the rest of the crew and another driver will step in to run the pumper and the standpipe system. If we had a completely different form factor vehicle, it would make it really difficult for anyone else to come and run the equipment.”

Consistent fire truck configuration, whether it’s a diesel or electric vehicle, helps to streamline operations, training and response efficiency.

"The Pierce Volterra EV uses common driveline components (axles, brakes, suspension, alternators, etc) to match your current fleet,” said Matt Sauter, Business Unit Director at Pierce Manufacturing. “Our high voltage (HV) components are centrally located in a confined area allowing non-HV trained technicians to safely work on almost any component on the truck."

Learn more about the benefits of fleet standardization in this blog.

Electric Fire Trucks Offer Quiet Performance

Electric vehicles are virtually silent without an engine powering the fire truck while in electric mode. As a result, noise pollution is significantly reduced. This added benefit makes for quieter operations around town and benefits firefighters in several ways.

• Improved communication in the cab.
• Reduced on-scene noise for operational safety.
• Improved communication for the firefighters on the ground.
• A reduction in stress on bystanders or those receiving emergency response support.
  

“Outside of the rig, there’s a big reduction in engine noise,” stated Fullerton. “It’s also quieter when it’s pumping. As the pump operator responding to a fire, I don’t have quite as much noise surrounding me.”

Read more about the operational benefits of an electric fire truck from Gilbert Fire & Rescue Department.

EV Charging Procedures and Feedback

Running an average of 10 calls per day, the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck at Portland Fire & Rescue is frequently in and out of the station. But the battery’s performance has met the call requirements with ease.

“Every time we come back to the bay, I plug in the engine and it tops itself off at 100%. Then, when we drive out, it will be in electric mode until the engine hits the ICE threshold. I’ve never had that happen, but other drivers have when they have longer drives to other parts of the city. When this happens, the engine automatically switches to the diesel engine—we don’t even notice it in the cab.”

At Portland Fire & Rescue, plugging in the electric vehicle is a simple step in the standard operating procedures. It ensures the rig is ready for the next call, maintaining its charge for optimal electric mode performance. This routine approach has proven reliable, minimizing downtime and ensuring the truck can handle the call demands. Whether the truck operates in electric mode or seamlessly switches to diesel for longer drives, firefighters trust the system will support their needs without any interruptions in performance.

Portland Fire & Rescue's adoption of the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck demonstrates the department’s dedication to sustainable solutions without sacrificing performance. The electric fire truck has seamlessly integrated into the fleet, providing quiet, efficient and reliable service while reducing noise and emissions in the community. As the first of its kind in Portland, the Pierce Volterra is already showing promising results, with minimal disruptions and impressive operational benefits.

Is your department ready to explore electric fire trucks?

Find your local Pierce dealer today to learn how an electric fire truck can enhance your fleet’s efficiency and sustainability.