The department’s new Pierce Ascendant Tiller will enhance response capabilities for tight urban areas and high-density developments in downtown Santa Rosa, California.
APPLETON, Wis. (November 13, 2024) – Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, is pleased to announce the Santa Rosa Fire Department, serving the city of Santa Rosa, California, has placed an order for a custom-built Pierce Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder. This new addition, purchased through Pierce dealer Golden State Fire Apparatus, reinforces the department’s ongoing commitment to providing exceptional fire protection for its community of nearly 200,000 residents. Santa Rosa Fire Department’s long-standing relationship with Pierce and Golden State Fire Apparatus began in 2016 and has included the purchase of three tillers, among other Pierce fire apparatus, with seven additional units currently on order.
“We’ve been extremely satisfied with the quality and performance of Pierce fire apparatus, and this order reflects our trust in their equipment and our confidence in the team at Golden State Fire Apparatus,” said Gunnar Dean, Fire Captain at the Santa Rosa Fire Department. “The Ascendant Tiller provides unmatched maneuverability and reach, which are critical for accessing high-density residential and commercial properties throughout downtown Santa Rosa, an area that has seen rapid growth and development.”
The Santa Rosa Fire Department currently operates ten stations and provides protection for a broader area of over 200,000 people through various mutual aid agreements. The addition of the Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder comes as part of the city’s ongoing fleet modernization plan, aimed at enhancing its ability to respond to the increasing volume and complexity of emergency calls. The department ran over 34,000 calls in 2023, and this year is on pace to exceed 35,000.
“This tiller fire apparatus is a game-changer for our operations,” added Captain Dean. “It will be stationed at Fire Station 1 in downtown Santa Rosa—the busiest station in the region. Its advanced features are designed to navigate tight urban streets, provide exceptional ladder reach for high-density developments, and house a full complement of tools and equipment for fire suppression and rescue operations. We are grateful to the Santa Rosa City Fleet Services department and the Santa Rosa City Council for approving the purchase of this much needed fire apparatus.”
The Santa Rosa Fire Department’s new Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Tiller Aerial Ladder includes:
- Enforcer™ custom chassis
- TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension for exceptional maneuverability and handling
- Steel ladder construction - offering 107’ of vertical reach and 100’ of horizontal reach, ensuring optimal performance in high-rise scenarios
- Custom compartmentation - tailored to accommodate specialized equipment and tools required for auto extrication, low-angle rescue, and complex fire and HAZMAT situations
- Pierce Command Zone™ advanced electronics system for streamlined diagnostics and real-time monitoring of the truck’s performance
The truck’s design reflects the Santa Rosa Fire Department’s specific operational requirements, allowing crews to confidently address the city’s diverse emergency needs while adapting to new development patterns. With the department’s recent funding approval for additional stations and units, the Pierce Ascendant Tiller will further enhance the department’s capacity to protect life and property in the growing community.
“The Santa Rosa Fire Department has been a valued partner for many years,” said Ryan Wright, President and Owner of Golden State Fire Apparatus. “This order, which builds upon our existing relationship, is a testament to the quality of Pierce products and our commitment to supporting the department’s evolving needs.”
For more information on Pierce's Ascendant aerial ladders and other innovative fire apparatus, visit www.piercemfg.com for specs, videos, and images.