21 Apr 2009

The Contender™ Responder™ offers reliability, durability and value for smaller communities
Flexible program features popular chassis and body combinations

Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, today launched a major roll-out of its Contender Responder Stock Vehicle Program in Indianapolis at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) at booth #9409. The Contender Responder is a comprehensive line of firefighting trucks built on commercial chassis, each available for quick delivery and offered with a limited selection of options.

 The Contender Responder Stock Vehicle Program is designed for departments with limited funds that desire to purchase a vehicle that has been engineered, manufactured and will be supported by Pierce Manufacturing.

"For smaller communities buying a firefighting truck, we know that reliability, durability and value are top concerns, and the Contender Responder is especially well-suited for them," said Wilson Jones, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president Fire & Emergency. "As more than 50 percent of the nation's fire trucks are 15-years-old or older, the need to upgrade is a critical element of a community's infrastructure, and the Contender Responder is a smart choice."

The Contender Responder Stock Vehicle Program is based on three commercial chassis choices, the Freightliner M2 and the International 4400 and 7400 (4X4).

Using these as a foundation, the Responder is configured into a complete line of 2- or 4-door pumpers with a substantial list of standard and optional features, including:

  • Aluminum body with powder coated steel substructure for durability and long life
  • Poly water tank - either 750-, 1000- or 1,250-gallon capacity - with a lifetime warranty
  • PTO driven pump with 1,250 gallons per minute (gpm) rating and a five-year warranty
  • Pump-in-motion capability to fight fast moving and large area fires
  • Comfort and convenience of air conditioning, keyless entry, intermittent wipers, tilt steering wheel and air-ride driver's seat
  • Three-person seating (with two SCBA spots) in 2-door extended cab model and five-person seating (with four SCBA spots) in 4-door configuration
  • Choice of body and compartment storage configurations, including high and low side compartments with 500-lb rated slide out trays and painted roll-up doors
  • Single agent foam system for increased firefighting power that is plumbed to two, low positioned crosslays with easy-to-reach removable packing trays
  • Easy-to-operate pump system with lever handles and direct valve access for simple and easy servicing
  • Available booster reel, bumper turret and bumper extension for added firefighting flexibility
  • High visibility LED lighting package, including light bar, front and rear warning lights, step lights and rear stop/turn lights

"These are no-nonsense fire trucks that have been designed to get the job done. When it comes to performance capability, no compromises have been made," added Jones. "Equally as important, these trucks are supported by the best in the business - the Pierce dealer network."

The Contender Responder program is ideal for departments that are applying for or have received FEMA grant funds. In addition Pierce offers a wide range of financing and lease options through Oshkosh Capital.