Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation business, has reported that the Columbus Division of Fire in Columbus, Ohio, has ordered four new fire apparatus to support high-volume emergency response across the city.
The order covers two Ascendant 107 foot heavy-duty tiller aerial ladders and two Enforcer pumpers.
Atlantic Emergency Solutions secured the order as Pierce’s dealer for the region.
According to the company, the specification is intended to align with the department’s existing fleet while addressing current operational demands.
The manufacturer stated that the package reflects Columbus’ focus on deploying vehicles that match varied incident types across its service area.
Pierce Manufacturing said the Columbus Division of Fire operates 34 fire stations across more than 220 square miles.
The department serves nearly 906,000 residents within the city limits.
It reported that approximately 1,700 uniformed personnel are supported by civilian staff.
The department provides both fire protection and emergency medical services as part of its remit.
Pierce added that Columbus is one of the busiest metropolitan fire departments in the US by call volume.
The supplier explained that Columbus has relied exclusively on Pierce tillers since 2012, with each unit built to the city’s own specification.
It noted that consistency across the fleet was a central factor in the latest procurement decision.
Dave Reichman, Regional Vice President of Sales for Atlantic Emergency Solutions, said: “Reliability and operational consistency are critical for a department of Columbus’ size.
“The new apparatus are designed to perform under pressure, with features directly supporting firefighters’ safety and efficiency on scene.
“The Ascendant Tillers and Enforcer Pumpers will provide the visibility, maneuverability, and functionality needed to serve Columbus residents effectively.
“The apparatus are designed to meet the demands of a large metropolitan city with a very high call volume.
“The tillers provide fast aerial setup, quick control movement, and superb visibility, while the pumpers feature thoughtful compartmentation and low hosebeds to maximise efficiency.
“We appreciate the opportunity to continue supporting the department with apparatus engineered for reliability, safety, and operational excellence.”
Pierce stated that the two Ascendant 107 foot heavy-duty tiller aerial ladders will be supplied on Enforcer custom chassis with Cummins X12 engines.
The tiller units will feature a TAK-4 tiller axle to support handling and ride quality.
A tandem rear axle chassis layout is specified to improve stability, braking and traction.
The ladders use steel construction and offer 107 feet of vertical reach for elevated operations.
Pierce confirmed that the trailer compartmentation has been highly customised to match Columbus Division of Fire requirements.
Each tiller will also be equipped with a wireless remote aerial control system to increase positioning flexibility on scene.
The two Enforcer pumpers will be built on Enforcer custom chassis with Cummins L9 engines.
Pierce said the pumpers will include TAK-4 independent front suspension to support steering control and ride comfort.
Each vehicle is specified with a 1,500 gpm pump for firefighting operations.
A 750 gallon water tank will be installed on each pumper to provide onboard supply at incidents.
The manufacturer added that the pumpers feature a 152 inch body with extensive compartmentation and a low hosebed design.
According to the company, the low hosebed is intended to support hose deployment and reduce manual handling demands.
Pierce reported that consistency and customisation were key factors in Columbus’ decision to order additional tillers from the same platform.
It explained that the Enforcer pumpers were selected in part due to quality assurances, availability and cost considerations.
The manufacturer highlighted the use of its Build My Pierce (BMP) Program for the pumpers.
According to Pierce, the programme allowed the department to align its specification with existing configurations while supporting expedited delivery timelines.
The company added that customers can use the programme to view options online and refine builds against operational needs.
Pierce stated that further information on Ascendant aerial ladders, Enforcer pumpers and other products is available on its website, including specifications, videos and images.
