The adoption of electric fire apparatus is accelerating their footprint in the industry. Fire departments from Los Angeles to Madison, Wis., from Portland, Ore., to Mesa, Ariz., have embraced the technology of electric and hybrid vehicles in the fire industry and are demonstrating the practical capabilities of this new generation of technology for the fire service.
Sustainable commitment
More municipalities worldwide are committing to sustainability and climate goals. Furthermore, truck producers in general are converting to electric drive systems.
In the future, there will be fewer chassis available with conventional drivelines, making it necessary for fire trucks to go electric.
Electric fire apparatus
An electric fire engine is an innovative tool that will help reduce noise and harmful diesel emissions
Electric fire apparatus made a big splash at recent trade shows, notably FDIC International in the United States and INTERSCHUTZ in Germany. An electric fire engine is an innovative tool that will help reduce noise and harmful diesel emissions and provide a flexible tool for firefighting and rescue operations from a technologically advanced platform.
At INTERSCHUTZ, Rosenbauer presented a complete range of electric emergency vehicles, from municipal fire trucks including fully electric aerial ladders to Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles.
fully electric fire truck
A fully electric fire truck currently going into service in Los Angeles is the result of 10 years of research and development, with the Los Angeles City Fire Department working closely with Rosenbauer America to address the challenges and obstacles of deploying the truck within the city’s system.
Two more Rosenbauer electric trucks are being demonstrated in fire departments in the U.S. and Canada, and another truck is coming next year. Rosenbauer projects that half of all vehicles they deliver to fire departments should be electrified by 2030.
Addressing the issues with an electric truck
Training and operations must be considered when replacing a traditional apparatus with a new electric truck
Issues such as training and operations must be considered when replacing a traditional apparatus with a new electric truck. One change is more space available on the electric truck for equipment storage, says Rosenbauer.
The City of Madison, Wis., Fire Department is deploying an Enforcer Volterra Pumper from Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The apparatus uses an “electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission” that can switch imperceptibly between the electric and diesel modes.
Fine-tuning the design
The Volterra pumper will work on the front lines at Station 8, the city’s busiest fire station. Madison Fire Department worked with Pierce to “fine-tune” the design. The department seeks to have their electric trucks “mimic” the operation of the older trucks.
In Madison, the city’s fleet manager is driving a push toward electrification throughout the vehicles used by the city; the Pierce apparatus enables the fire department to deliver on that expectation. The city anticipates buying two or three additional electric fire trucks in the next year or so.
E-One Vector fire truck
Additional features include a battery storage solution that offers a safer, lower center of gravity and regenerative braking
EV Fire Group announced the all-electric E-One Vector fire truck last August and debuted it in multiple presentations on the FDIC International show floor in April 2022.
The customizable Vector features a long electric pumping duration that allows four hose lines to be used for four hours on a single charge. Additional features include a battery storage solution that offers a safer, lower center of gravity and regenerative braking.
cost-savings and efficiency
Mesa, Ariz., is the first city to order the Vector, with delivery expected this year. The rig supports the City of Mesa’s Climate Action Plan, to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
They expect the new rig will demonstrate potential cost-savings and efficiency of electric vehicles throughout city operations. In developing Vector, REV Fire Group worked closely with customers to identify their needs and fine-tune the product based on feedback.
Volterra platform
Oshkosh provides a Volterra platform for a hybrid ARFF vehicle, which is debuting at airports
Pierce Manufacturing and Oshkosh Airport combined efforts to introduce the Volterra platform of vehicles for the fire and emergency market.
Oshkosh provides a Volterra platform for a hybrid Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, which is debuting at airports across the United States.
Innovative fire suppression technology
The hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) meets the emergency response needs among airports. The first Striker ARFF deployment is at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
Available on 4x4 and 6x6 chassis platforms, the Striker Volterra delivers superior chassis performance, advanced safety systems, innovative fire suppression technology, reliability, and durability.
