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| Ghana National Fire Service has selected Pierce Manufacturing to supply fire service vehicles |
The purchase also includes four Pierce aerial ladder vehicles built on Pierce Arrow XT chassis.
Pierce Manufacturing, an Oshkosh Corporation company, announced that it has received an order for 104 custom fire trucks from U.S. exporter Project Development International (PDI) through Ghana's Ministry of Interior Service and the Ghana National Fire Service. The order includes a combination of 90 pumper tanker units, 10 water tender vehicles and four aerial ladder vehicles. Shipment of the vehicles will begin in February 2011 and will be completed over the following 12 months. This is the largest single purchase of Pierce custom fire apparatus in 18 years, and it is valued at more than $31 million.
"We are excited and proud to have been selected by Project Development International and the Republic of Ghana for an order of this magnitude. This is a major accomplishment and a significant stepping stone for the Pierce brand on the world stage," said Jim Johnson, Oshkosh Corporation executive vice president and president, Fire & Emergency. "Pierce is proud to be awarded this contract based on our quality vehicles, technology, warranties and service, and we look forward to this relationship with PDI. This is a comprehensive team effort by our international group and the entire Pierce organization."
The Pierce vehicles will replace existing units and will help the Ghana National Fire Service in its planned expansion from 136 to 202 fire stations across the country. The order includes 60 Pierce Saber dual-purpose pumper tanker vehicles, each of which features a 2,000-gallon (7,571-liter) water tank and a 1,000-gpm (3,785 lpm) single stage pump. The order also features 30 Saber dual-purpose pumper tanker vehicles, each outfitted with a 3,000-gallon (11,356-liter) water tank. In addition, there are 10 Saber water tenders, each with a 3,000-gallon water tank.
Pierce vehicles will help Ghana National fire Service to increase the number of fire stations from 136 to 201 across the nation |
The purchase also includes four Pierce aerial ladder vehicles built on Pierce Arrow XT chassis. Each vehicle features a 125-foot (38.1-meter) aerial device, aluminum body, 500 hp engine, TAK-4 independent front suspension, tandem rear axle, seating for six firefighters and a wide range of compartments with adjustable trays, shelves and roll-up doors. In addition to Pierce fire apparatus, the order includes 13 Jerr-Dan HDL 500 heavy-duty wrecker vehicles and four IMT service trucks. "Jerr-Dan and IMT are also Oshkosh Corporation companies. We are among a select few providers worldwide that are able to deliver an order of this range in a single transaction.
Moreover, through our local dealer, we are able to deliver timely and effective training and support. We look forward to seeing these vehicles serving communities and rural villages throughout the country," added Johnson. The Republic of Ghana is located in West Africa, and is a country well endowed with natural resources. Top exports include gold, cocoa, timber, electricity, diamonds and bauxite. Tourism is a rapidly growing economic sector, particularly among Europeans, Americans and other internationals. Ghana's political and economic stability, low crime rate, and wide use of English make the country an attractive entry point to West Africa for foreigners. Pierce dealer, Fire Raiders, Inc., of South Africa will open a facility in the Republic of Ghana to provide local service and support.
