Successfully adding an electric vehicle (EV) to a fire station fleet requires a collaborative effort that includes representatives of the fire department, the electric fire truck manufacturer, the local utility and an experienced EV infrastructure provider.
Why is this team approach ideal?
Because purchasing an electric fire truck is more than just the truck—it is lifelong EV service and support and a charging infrastructure system designed to serve the unique needs of each station.
Pierce Manufacturing is proud to partner with EnTech Solutions, a full-solution EV infrastructure partner, to help fire stations evaluate and understand how to seamlessly integrate an electric fire truck into its fleet.
Electric fire trucks take a significant amount of energy to charge. EV infrastructure includes all components that make up a charging system. To effectively serve the community, a fire truck requires reliable and effective charging infrastructure to maintain readiness.
Pierce Manufacturing is proud to partner with EnTech Solutions, a division of national energy provider Faith Technologies Incorporated, to provide seamless end-to-end EV infrastructure support. Pierce brings expertise in electric fire truck engineering and manufacturing, while EnTech is experienced in development, installation and maintenance of charging solutions in industrial settings, with minimal disruption on site.
EnTech Solutions works with local utilities to manages all of the EV infrastructure heavylifting on behalf of fire departments, including:
With the ongoing service and support of Pierce and EnTech, fire departments can remain focused on emergency response and the safety of their community.
Even within the same jurisdiction, fire departments face differences in fire station age, size, infrastructure, ordinances and electrical capacity. With this in mind, following a process to review and install EV infrastructure consistently is ideal.
The first step in the process is to collaborate with the fire department representatives and determine the EV charging plans now and into the future. This includes gathering station information during a site visit, like electrical usage and capacity, available grants and incentives, ROI opportunities for renewable energy and budgetary costs.
At the end of the assessment, fire department representatives will know the full impact of charging installation at the station, including anticipated lead times, design requirements and utility updates or management options.
Pierce provides guidance to EnTech and local utilities with electric fire truck requirements and experience integrating systems in high-traffic, congested spaces.
In the second phase of the process, EnTech Solutions works with Pierce representatives and the local utility to deliver your fire station's best possible EV charging plan or blueprint. This collaborative effort to finalize the design plan ensures that the technology meets the needs of the electric fire truck and the fire station. EnTech also works directly with the authority that has jurisdiction over permitting and licensing, reducing the burden placed on fire departments.
EnTech Solutions completes in-house manufacturing of modularized and standardized EV charging solutions. Using modular components improves the speed and efficiency of installation, which is ideal for active fire station environments.
The installation process requires several steps, and Pierce and EnTech Solutions works closely with the fire station through all of them. They include:
The seamless installation process means fire departments only have to work with one team from concept to commissioning with transparent and open communication. After installation, use and maintenance training on the electric fire truck and the EV charging infrastructure ensures fire departments feel confident in using all technology moving forward.
The last phase of the EV charging integration process is to finalize operations and optimize performance. Knowing a fire department’s EV needs may change over time, Pierce and EnTech are always available to help support changes to the infrastructure based on the department’s needs and goals. Whether a department is adding small vehicles, ambulances or additional fire trucks, EnTech Solutions can continue to support EV charging needs.
The leased energy-as-a-service infrastructure is supported by EnTech Solutions and Pierce’s dealer network when problems arise. Additionally, Service Level Agreements are available for ongoing preventive maintenance and service/warranty concerns.
EV charging solutions do not follow a one-size-fits-all approach. Even within the same jurisdiction, every fire department manages different types of calls and call volumes. Moreover, fire station energy availability may vary between residential, commercial and industrial areas.
As a result, the process steps are designed to ensure that the variability within fire stations is understood and addressed before any integrations are discussed, or any execution commences.
The benefit of a process-focused approach means that each fire station receives tailored energy solutions based on its unique needs. Components must be integrated thoughtfully and in a way that does not interrupt daily operations. Pierce is committed to supporting fire departments as they seek alternative energy solutions and are ready to meet their expectations with custom EV fire trucks and charging infrastructure solutions.
Choosing to work with Pierce and EnTech Solutions is a collaborative partnership that lasts the lifetime of your electric vehicle. What are the key benefits to fire departments?
As an electric fire truck manufacturer, Pierce designs and manufactures all of the parts and components of the EV technology systems, improving our capabilities to deliver prompt customer service and support. Without reliance on any third-party technology insertion, you can be confident the Volterra™ platform of electric vehicles is built with the longstanding quality and tradition of all Pierce apparatus. In a similar manner, EnTech Solution’s end-to-end EV infrastructure process is fully customized for each fire station and comes with service support and warranties.
Working collaboratively with fire stations and local utilities, Pierce and EnTech Solutions understand the critical need for EV fire trucks and charging infrastructure designed to perform reliably and consistently. Even a small issue can pull a truck out of service and impair the station’s ability to meet its objectives of reducing emissions and supporting community safety. EnTech understands the integration of their system and how it works with Pierce apparatus and vice versa. As such, collectively, we provide a single source of both service and product support, ensuring longevity and reliability with the new technology. Our ability to coordinate and collaborate means issues can be resolved faster and more effectively, reducing truck and system downtime.
Drawing from Pierce’s experienced dealer network for maintenance, service and support means fire departments can access 24/7 support to get fire trucks back into service. Additionally, Pierce’s partnership with EnTech means we work to provide better uptime by planning and restocking standardized parts for service and repair.
With Pierce, integrating the necessary electrification components in a fire station and getting an electric fire truck up and running is a straightforward and seamless process.
If you’re interested in learning more about the Volterra platform of electric vehicles, these additional resources may be of interest:
Posted: Jul 19, 2022 8:30:00 AM by Pierce Mfg.
About Pierce Manufacturing Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation [NYSE: OSK] company, is the leading North American manufacturer of custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, mini pumpers, elliptical tankers, 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.
At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs more than 14,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common cause: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™, Oshkosh® Airport Products, London™ and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.
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