Madison Reporter

The City of Madison Fire Department has announced that the first Pierce Volterra Electric Pumper production unit is now operational at Fire Station 8 on Madison's east side. This development marks a significant step in advancing zero-emissions technology within the fire service industry, resulting from years of collaboration between the department and Pierce Manufacturing Inc., a business under Oshkosh Corporation.

Madison became the first city in North America to test and evaluate the Pierce Volterra platform in real-world conditions. Now, with this electric pumper integrated into their fleet, both the department and the city have reached a noteworthy milestone in their sustainability efforts.

Fire Chief Chris Carbon expressed pride in welcoming this new vehicle: “This vehicle is a testament to our department’s dedication to innovation, safety, and environmental stewardship. The partnership with Pierce has enabled us to deliver the highest-quality apparatus to our firefighters and the community we serve.”

The electric pumper aligns with Madison's environmental goals by offering zero-emissions capabilities. It includes features such as Pierce’s patented parallel-electric drivetrain and charging infrastructure supported by Madison Gas and Electric.

Rachel Darken, Assistant Fleet Superintendent for Madison, highlighted the achievement: “Fire trucks are among the most challenging vehicles to electrify, and seeing the first production unit delivered to Madison is a remarkable achievement.”

The custom-built vehicle boasts several key features: seating for six on a Pierce Enforcer chassis, TAK-4 Independent Front Suspension, a 246 kWh battery solution with warranty coverage for six years, consolidated high-voltage integration for safety and efficiency, a 1,500 GPM single-stage pump paired with a 500-gallon water tank, and backup power from an internal combustion engine.

Serving over 250,000 residents across nearly 100 square miles from 14 stations, Madison's fire department continues its commitment to innovation through this addition. Jason Krueger of Reliant Fire Apparatus commented on this progress: “Integrating a Volterra electric pumper into their fleet is a testament to Madison’s leadership and Pierce’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of technology.”

For more information about Pierce Manufacturing or its electric vehicles like the Volterra platform, visit www.piercemfg.com.