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A firefighter stands with a hose on his shoulder as he talks with the operator of a red fire truck in the background.How a fire truck is manufactured is more than just the combination of parts—it is a precisely engineered configuration of strategic components designed to support and accelerate emergency response.

In fact, there are many considerations in the design and engineering process specifically catered to what many in the fire service refer to as ‘the first five minutes.’

What is the First Five Minutes?

The ‘first five minutes’ is a phrase that firefighters often use in training exercises to describe the critical nature of the choices that must be made at the outset of emergency situations.

According to the International Association of Fire Chiefs, “It’s generally accepted in the fire service that the first five minutes of a firefight sets the stage for risk and outcomes. If we do it smart and correct, the risk to firefighters will be low and the outcome will be better.”

Below, a firefighter from Fox Crossing Fire Department in Wisconsin provides an overview of this philosophy and how his station prepares for emergency response.

What Role Do Apparatus Play in Emergency Preparedness?

Two firefighters are holding a nozzle and hose as water sprays from a Pierce pumper fire truck. While many aspects of emergency preparedness come down to training, there are some aspects that can be supported with smart and strategic apparatus design and planning.

If your fire department is looking for additional opportunities to improve speed, function and efficiency on the fire ground, consider these opportunities in fire truck design.

Cab Safety

Cab safety is a significant consideration when it comes to firefighters traveling to and from an incident safely.

Cab safety starts in the design phase as a fire department determines the right type of cab for the mission of the fire truck. The strength of the cab and the included safety features can vary based on preferences from department to department, but some cab safety considerations may include:

  • Side and front airbags. Including airbags in the vehicle can help protect firefighters in the event of an accident.
  • Clean cab initiatives. CARE clean cab initiatives, like cleanable vinyl surfaces, advanced HVAC systems and removing SCBAs from the cab interior, are used to help minimize contaminants in the cab leaving the occupants in the cleanest possible environment to and from the scene.
  • Vehicle ergonomics. How a vehicle is designed can help support proper firefighter ergonomics to reduce stress on firefighters’ bodies as they travel in the vehicle.
  • HAAS Alert collision avoidance technology. Designed to help firefighters avoid collisions as they travel to and from the scene, HAAS Alert helps to ensure motorists are alerted to nearby emergency vehicles.

Fire Truck Design Based on Geography, Community Needs and Incident Type

A firefighter is walking with hose on his shoulder as another operates the panel on an adjacent Pierce fire truck.When a fire truck is designed to match a fire department’s geographic terrain, community needs and incident type, it can significantly improve response times and effectiveness.

The mission of the fire truck should drive the type of fire truck a department chooses. There are many types of fire trucks that are designed to support specific types of communities and applications, for example:

  • Pumpers
  • Aerials
  • Rescues
  • Tankers
  • Hazardous or specialty vehicles

In addition to the right type of fire truck, the components, tools and equipment on board should be specifically catered to match the types of incidents, or calls, the department responds to regularly.

As a fire department considers ways to improve emergency responsiveness, having the right truck on the scene with the right tools and equipment on board can make a difference when every second counts.

Strategic Compartmentation

How compartment storage is configured on a fire truck can enhance department operations and safety. Designing truck compartments based on how an apparatus is used and positioned during calls can also help improve efficiency and combat readiness.

Emergency response capabilities greatly improve when firefighters are trained on the location of tools and equipment on the truck, and the truck is designed to optimize space and movement from task to task.

Learn more in this blog: Fire Truck Storage: Compartment and Storage Systems FAQ

Fleet Standardization

A firefighter connects a hose to the side panel of a Pierce fire truck.Training is a critical component of emergency response and fire truck fleet standardization can help expedite response capabilities.

With a standardized fleet program, fire trucks are manufactured according to a class of specifications that create consistency based on the needs of a fire department.

  • Improvements in operations and safety go hand-in-hand when components are set up the same way on all department apparatus.
  • Knowing where specific tools are stored and how to operate critical apparatus functions is a tremendous advantage at the scene of an emergency.
  • Managing additional equipment, like an aerial device, is more efficient when all trucks in the fleet have the same device.

Learn more about the benefits of standardizing a fire truck fleet now.

Ongoing Fire Truck Service and Maintenance Training Opportunities

The ability to access ongoing fire truck service and maintenance training opportunities can be a great benefit for fire departments.

When a department invests in a fire apparatus, it should demand ongoing training options to ensure that the department staff has the education required to operate and service vehicles appropriately.

Reliable Fire Trucks With 24/7 Service Support

The interior of a fire station shows a row of lockers and hanging gear across from a parked Pierce fire truck.When a call comes in, fire department staff need to know that their trucks are ready to perform. Pierce Manufacturing is proud to offer the most robust dealer network in the industry, dedicated to keeping your fire truck or fleet in service.

Across North America, Pierce’s fire apparatus aftermarket support includes:

  • 60+ regional service facilities
  • 140+ mobile service vehicles
  • 115+ master technicians

Pierce and its reliable dealer network provide 24/7 access to a team of technicians offering expertise in chassis, suspension, electrical, aerials, pump, foam systems and more. With a dedicated aftermarket team on your side, the majority of fire truck incidents can be reviewed and completed quickly to help trucks get back into service without disrupting department operations.

Interested in learning more about how Pierce fire trucks are designed to support first responders? Reach out to your local dealer today.
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Posted: Jan 25, 2022 8:30:00 AM by Pierce Mfg.

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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