PRESS RELEASE
In alignment with the goals set out in The City of Calgary’s Climate Strategy, the Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is proud to announce the introduction of our new electric pumper pilot program and the Pierce® Volterra™ electric engine from Pierce Manufacturing. The CFD anticipates the engine will enter service by the end of summer, following training and commissioning.
Mayor Jyoti Gondek commented on the engine’s arrival, saying, “The introduction of the electric fire engine marks a significant step forward in our commitment to a greener Calgary. By reducing emissions and improving air quality, this addition to the Calgary Fire Department not only enhances our emergency response capabilities, it also demonstrates our dedication to building a sustainable future for our community.”
Calgary’s Pierce Volterra™ EV engine was custom made by Pierce Manufacturing to meet CFD specifications. Through a joint development agreement, the engine will be tested and evaluated by both Pierce and the CFD against performance measures, including the battery’s ability to operate in our varied climate.
This Pierce Volterra™ EV is the first of its kind in Canada and will operate out of the Mount Pleasant Fire Station, which has been outfitted with the necessary charging infrastructure.
“The introduction of the Pierce Volterra™ electric engine into our fleet through this pilot program allows the CFD to test the functionality and performance of an electric engine without making a long-term financial commitment,” said Acting Fire Chief Pete Steenaerts. “Deployment of the Pierce Volterra™ engine in three cities in the United States has been successful, which gives us confidence in the reliability and performance of this technology. We look forward to evaluating the performance of the engine and providing feedback that could make future versions even better.”
One of the features of the Pierce Volterra™ electric engine is its backup diesel system, which ensures continuous power to both the pumping and driving systems. While it’s not anticipated to be needed, this dual-power setup allows the CFD to maintain operational readiness under all circumstances.
Benefits of the electric engine include:
Reduced emissions and improved air quality: Electric engines produce zero tailpipe emissions and will help to reduce the carbon footprint of the CFD.
Minimized fuel use: While the engine is supported with a back-up diesel system if required, it is anticipated the vehicle will use substantially less fuel.
Quieter operation: Electric engines operate more quietly than their diesel counterparts, thus reducing noise pollution.
Carey Feduniw, General Manager of Commercial Emergency Equipment, the Pierce dealer and service provider for the Calgary Fire Department’s Pierce Volterra™ Pumper, said, “We are proud to support Pierce Manufacturing’s first zero-emission emergency apparatus in Canada. The Commercial Group of Companies has a long history of vehicle electrification and sustainability, including the outfitting of fully electric work vehicles for The City of Calgary, and this partnership is a testament to our commitment to a greener future. Our certified technicians are ready to ensure the successful integration of this advanced vehicle into the Calgary Fire Department’s fleet.”
Specifications
| CHASSIS | Enforcer™ |
| BODY | Volterra™ Pumper |
| ACTUAL OVERALL HEIGHT | 10′ 10″ |
| ENGINE | Cummins B6.7 |
| HORSEPOWER | 360 hp |
| FRONT SUSPENSION | TAK-4® Independent Front Suspension |
| REAR SUSPENSION | Spring |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Command Zone™ |
| FOAM SYSTEM | Husky™ 3 |
| PUMP | Waterous Midship |
| PUMP GPM | 1500 gpm |
| TANK | Foam Water |
| TANK SIZE | 500 gallons |
About the Calgary Fire Department
The Calgary Fire Department (CFD) is dedicated to serving Calgarians through excellence in fire prevention, education, protection and safety. With 43 stations located across the city, we are one of only seven accredited fire services in Canada. Our values of Pride, Professionalism, Teamwork and Respect guide our actions and how we work with the communities we serve. Learn more about the CFD at calgary.ca/fire.
About Pierce Manufacturing
Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] business, is a 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.
