Pierce™ Dispatch Podcast

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FDIC may be over, but the conversation is just getting started. Tune into the latest episode featuring Pierce subject matter experts discussing latest innovations and technologies. Dave Archer discusses the Collision Avoidance Mitigation System (CAMS) technology adopted from our Pratt Miller racing team. Steve Williamson highlights Hunterdon County Department of Public Safety in New Jersey’s Mobile Command Unit. Matt Sauter speaks about the Pierce® Volterra™ EV, which seamlessly integrates into existing fleets. Shena Straka shares advancements on aerial products, including a low-profile cab. John Schultz introduces the redesigned Pierce top-mount PUC™.

Date Aired: 5/2/2025

Featuring: Pierce subject matter experts & host Alie Reetz

Guests:

• Dave Archer is the vice president of engineering at Pierce Manufacturing. 
• Steve Williamson is the vice president of North and Northwest regions at Frontline Communications. 
• Shena Straka is the business unit director of aerial products at Pierce Manufacturing. 
• John Schultz is the vice president and business unit director of pumper products at Pierce Manufacturing.
• Matt Sauter is the business unit director of cab, chassis and electrical at Pierce Manufacturing.
• Alie Reetz is a marketing associate at Pierce Manufacturing.

Resources:

Pierce FDIC 2025

TAK-4 T3™ Independent Rear Suspension

•  Video

Top Mount PUC

• Video

Pierce Volterra EV Pumper

• Video

Collision Avoidance Mitigation System (CAMS)

Low Profile Cab

Aerials

Pumpers

PACCAR MX-13 Engine 

Pratt Miller

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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Join us from the show floor to meet with attendees at FDIC 2025! Our guests share what brought them to the show in Indianapolis, Indiana. We highlight topics including youth firefighter programs, industry innovations, apparatus and beyond.  🌟 🚒

Date Aired: 4/25/2025

Featuring: FDIC attendees & host Dan Meyer

Guests:

• FDIC attendees
• Dan Meyer the vice president of sales at Pierce Manufacturing.  

Resources:

• Pierce FDIC 2025 
• Pierce 2025 Road Rally
• 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field 
• TAK-4 T3™ Independent Rear Suspension
  • Video
• Top Mount PUC™
  • Video 
• Pierce® Volterra™ EV Pumper
  • Video
• ClearSky Intelligence™ Connectivity Solutions
  • Podcast episode 
• Low Profile Cab
• Collision Avoidance Mitigation System (CAMS)
• HiViz Connect Warning Light System
• PACCAR MX-13 Engine
• Better Every Shift Podcast

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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Check out the 12 apparatus in the Pierce booth at FDIC 2025!

• Enforcer™ Volterra™ EV Pumper
• Enforcer Top Mount PUC™ Pumper
• Enforcer PUC Pumper
• Enforcer Heavy-Duty Rescue Pumper (HDRP) with Collision Avoidance Mitigation System (CAMS)
• Enforcer Pumper
• Impel® Top Mount Pumper  
• Enforcer Ascendant® 100' Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower with TAK-4 T3™
• Enforcer Low Profile Cab 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder
• Enforcer Ascendant 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder – Single Rear Axle
• Enforcer 100' Heavy-Duty Tractor Drawn Aerial
• Velocity® 100' Aerial Platform
• Frontline™ Communications’ C-40X-4 Saber® Command Unit

Date Aired: 4/11/2025

Featuring: host Dan Meyer & host Alie Reetz 

Guests:

• Dan Meyer the vice president of sales at Pierce Manufacturing. 
• Alie Reetz a marketing associate at Pierce Manufacturing. 

Resources:

• Enforcer™ Volterra™ Pumper
• Spec Sheets
• Pumpers
• Pierce PUC™ Pump
• Ascendant® 100' Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower
• TAK-4 T3™ Independent Rear Suspension
• Aerial Ladders
• Aerial Platforms
• Frontline™ Communications’ C-40X-4 Saber® Command Unit

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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In this episode of the Pierce™ Dispatch, we’re joined by lieutenant Zack Spencer and captain Jason Lacasse from the Bellingham Fire Department in Massachusetts. They share about their recent acquisition of an Enforcer™ Ascendant® 107’ Ladder, discussing each step of their journey from procurement to delivery. They also reflect on their seamless experience with a Pierce stock pumper highlighting the exceptional quality and support from Pierce and their local dealer, Allegiance Fire and Rescue.

Date Aired: 3/28/2025

Featuring: Lieutenant Zack Spencer, captain Jason Lacasse & host Dan Meyer

Guests:

• Zack Spencer is a lieutenant and maintenance coordinator on Bellingham Fire Department, MA. 
• Jason Lacasse is a captain on Bellingham Fire Department, MA.
• Dan Meyer the vice president of sales at Pierce Manufacturing.  

Resources:

• Bellingham Fire Department in Massachusetts
  • Bellingham Fire Department pumper
• Pierce Stock Apparatus 
• Fire Truck Procurement
  • 4 critical factors for an effective fire truck procurement committee
  • Pierce Manufacturing's workforce
  • Benefits of standardizing a fire truck fleet
• Fire apparatus maintenance
  • Fire apparatus dealer benefits
  • Pierce Parts
  • Product support
• Aerial devices
  • Ascendant class 107' heavy-duty aerial ladder
  • Types of aerial devices
• Aerial no pump no tank vs. quint
  • Maximize your aerial truck storage
• Firefighter training
• Compartmentation

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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It’s time to talk about tillers! 🐍

In this episode, we are joined by Rich Holzman, Pierce’s Mid-Atlantic regional vice president and former assistant chief of Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service in Maryland. The conversation weaves through the features of tillers including expansive storage capacity and unmatched maneuverability. Rich breaks down the various configurations and customizations available. Tune in to learn the role of tillers in different firefighting scenarios and how departments can determine if a tiller fits their community’s needs. 

Date Aired: 3/14/2025

 Featuring: Pierce regional vice president Rich Holzman & host Alie Reetz

 Guests:

• Rich Holzman is a regional vice president at Pierce for the Mid-Atlantic region. He began his journey in the fire industry at Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service, Maryland, and rose through the ranks to the assistant chief. 
• Alie Reetz is a marketing associate at Pierce. 

Resources:

Tractor Drawn Aerials

• 107 tiller
• 102 tiller
• Aerial tillers

Aerials

• Types of aerial devices
• Types of aerial fire trucks
• Ascendant class
• Ascendant aerial guide
• Platforms

Aerial Operations

Aerial Design

• Aerial no-pump, no-tank vs. aerial with pump and tank
• Maximize aerial fire truck storage
• What is a quint fire truck
• Fire apparatus design ordering process

Fire Truck Procurement

• 4 critical factors for an effective fire truck procurement committee

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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For this episode we traveled to Station No.8 in Madison, Wisconsin, to witness the deployment of the first production ordered Pierce® Volterra® Electric Pumper. The City of Madison Fire Department became the first in North America to test and evaluate the Pierce Volterra platform in a live operational environment. The City of Madison Fire Department in Wisconsin serves over 250,000 residents across 100 square miles with 14 stations—Station No. 8 being the busiest. Apparatus engineer Matt highlights the Pierce Volterra's engineering, sustainability and the patented parallel electric drivetrain. Matt Sautter, director of cab, chassis and electrical at Pierce Manufacturing discusses the reduced maintenance and technological advancements of the Pierce Volterra platform of electric vehicles. 

Date Aired: 2/28/2025

Featuring: Apparatus engineer Matt Wong, Matt Sauter & host Alie Reetz

Guests:

• Matt Wong is an apparatus engineer on the City of Madison Fire Department in Madison, Wisconsin. 
• Matt Sauter is the business unit director of cab, chassis and electrical at Pierce Manufacturing.  
• Alie Reetz is a marketing associate at Pierce Manufacturing.  

Resources:

City of Madison Fire Department – Pierce® Enforcer™ Volterra™ Pumper

• First Production Pierce Volterra Electric Pumper Ordered by City of Madison, Now In Service
• Pierce Secures Purchase Order for a Volterra Electric Pumper from the City of Madison, WI Fire Department
• Pierce Manufacturing and Oshkosh Airport Products Introduce the Volterra Platform of Electric Vehicles

Pierce® Volterra™ EV

• Electric fire truck reference guide
• A day in the life of a Volterra electric fire truck
• Pierce Volterra technology
• Electric fire truck pump performance
• Why does an electric fire truck still need a diesel engine
• Electric Fire Truck in Service: Portland Fire & Rescue Case Study
• Electric Fire Truck Case Study: Insights, Key Features and Lessons Learned
• Electric Fire Trucks in Cold Weather: Facts, Challenges and Examples
• Pierce Volterra Electric Fire Truck Named ‘Coolest Thing Made in Wisconsin 2022’

Fire apparatus maintenance

• Fire truck maintenance and service training
• Benefits of a Strong Fire Apparatus Dealer Network

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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🔥🚨 Albuquerque Fire Rescue's Lieutenant Jason Fejer joined us on the Pierce™ Dispatch! 

Tune in to the latest episode to discover insights into their fleet, community engagement, innovations and more! Don't miss out! 🎧 

Date Aired: 2/14/2025

Featuring: Lieutenant Jason Fejer & host Alie Reetz

Guests:

• Lieutenant Jason Fejer has been with Albuquerque Fire Rescue in New Mexico for approximately 18 years. In his current assignment as the public information officer, he works to tell the story of the department and highlight the work their crews are doing in the community. 
• Alie Reetz is a marketing associate at Pierce Manufacturing.  

 Resources:

• Albuquerque Fire Rescue in New Mexico
  • City of Albuquerque
• Fire apparatus maintenance
  • Fire apparatus dealer benefits
  • Benefits of standardizing your fire truck fleet 
• Fire Truck Procurement
  • 4 critical factors for an effective fire truck procurement committee
  • Experience workforce fire apparatus manufacturing
  • Benefits of standardizing a fire truck fleet
• Aerial devices
  • Types of aerial devices
  • Ladder fire truck vs. platform fire truck
  • 105 heavy duty steel aerial ladder
  • How to find the right aerial fire truck for urban fires 
• Aerial no pump no tank vs. quint
  • Maximize aerial fire truck storage 
• CARE Initiative 
  • Clean cab advancements
  • What is fire truck decontamination

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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In this episode of The Pierce™ Dispatch, we welcome Ricky Riley, who shares his extensive fire industry experience and has worked with Pierce for over the past 30 years. The discussion covers topics including fire service experiences on multiple different fire departments, advice for fleet managers and the importance of investing in people. It is crucial to maintain and repair fire apparatus to meet the operational needs of frontline firefighters. Ricky highlights the significance of data, maintenance and an unwavering dedication to fire service readiness.

Date Aired: 1/31/2025 

Featuring: Ricky Riley & host Dan Meyer

 Guests:

• Ricky Riley is currently the Fire Apparatus Manager with the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department in Maryland. He also serves as a firefighter, former chief and member of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department in Maryland. Ricky spent 20 years as a Firefighter with the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue, and 11 years as the Operations Chief of Clearwater Fire & Rescue in Florida. Finally, he serves on the editorial board for Fire Apparatus & Emergency Equipment Magazine as well the FDIC advisory board. 
• Dan Meyer is the vice president of sales at Pierce Manufacturing.  

Resources:

• Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department – Velocity® 100’ Ascendant® Aerial Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower 
  • Fire emergency medical services
• Fire apparatus maintenance
  • Fire apparatus dealer benefits
  • Benefits of Standardizing fire truck fleet
• Product and Pierce parts support
  • Pierce Parts
  • Product support
  • Fire truck product support
• Fire Truck Procurement
  • 4 critical factors for an effective fire truck procurement committee
  • Pierce Manufacturing's Workforce
• Pierce® ClearSky Intelligence™ Connectivity Solutions
  • Pierce® ClearSky Intelligence™ podcast episode
  • Benefits of fire truck telematics

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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We are launching Season No.2 of the Pierce™ Dispatch with a monumental episode spotlighting Monument Fire District, Colorado, and their Ascendant® 100’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower! We are joined by both Chief Andy Kovacs and Division Chief Jamey Bumgarner to discuss their recent delivery and elements of their department.

Date Aired: 1/17/2025

Featuring: Fire Chief Andy Kovacs, Division Chief Jamey Bumgarner & host Alie Reetz

Guests:

• Fire Chief Andy Kovacs has over three decades of public safety experience and currently serves on the Monument Fire District in Colorado.
• Division Chief of Administration Jamey Bumgarner is approaching four decades of experience in the fire industry and currently leads the administration division at Monument Fire District in Colorado. 
• Alie Reetz is instrumental in connecting customers with the perfect builds for their unique needs. She plays a critical role in supporting social media, web presence, and direct customer interaction at Pierce, ensuring every apparatus meets the precise needs of the firefighters who use them.

Resources:

• Monument Fire District – Velocity® 100’ Ascendant® Aerial Heavy-Duty Aerial Tower
• Aerials
  • Types of aerial devices
  • Types of aerial fire trucks
  • Ascendant class
  • Ascendant aerial guide
  • Platforms
• Aerial Operations
• Aerial design
  • Aerial no pump no tank vs. aerial with pump and tank
  • Maximize aerial fire truck storage
  • What is a quint fire truck
  • Fire apparatus design ordering process
• Fire truck procurement - purchasing guide 
  • 4 critical factors for an effective fire truck procurement committee
• Pierce® ClearSky Intelligence™ Connectivity Solutions
  • Pierce Dispatch Episode 16

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page. 

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In the finale episode of Season No.1, Dan and Alie recap Pierce’s year of innovations and community involvement. They highlight standout episodes, including interviews with customers and product experts, special events such as the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, FDIC and the Pierce® Volterra™ EV Road Tour. They share memorable interactions with various fire departments, the adoption of new technologies and the importance of community events and customer relationships. They also tease upcoming events for 2025, including the Pierce Volterra’s appearance at the CES show in Las Vegas and the upcoming Road Rally.
Date Aired: 12/13/2024
Featuring: Host Dan Meyer & Host Alie Reetz
Dan Meyer is the vice president of sales at Pierce Manufacturing.  
Alie Reetz is a marketing associate at Pierce Manufacturing

Key Takeaways:
Pierce™ Dispatch Season No.1 episodes
2024 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field - Donate here
Pierce PUC™ Pump
Pierce® ClearSky Intelligence™ Connectivity Solutions
Pierce Give Back Program beneficiaries - Lundgaard Park / National Fallen Firefighters Foundation / St. Jude / United Way
PACCAR MX-13 Engine
Pierce® Volterra™ EV Road Tour
Pierce Volterra
Pierce Road Rally
Pierce Facility Upgrades and Manufacturing Innovation
Oshkosh Corporation at CES

Highlighted Apparatus:
South County Fire Department – Enforcer™ Pumper, South County, WA
Walkersville Volunteer Rescue Company – Velocity® Non-Walk-In Heavy-Duty Rescue, Walkersville, MD
Indianapolis Fire Department, Indianapolis, IN
Omaha Fire Department, Omaha, NB
San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, San Diego, CA
Calgary Fire Department, Calgary, AB
Baltimore County Fire Department, Towson, MA
Fayetteville Fire Department, Fayetteville, AR
Columbus Division of Fire, Columbus, OH
Urbandale Fire Department, Urbandale, IA

Join us as we continue to bring together customers, industry professionals and Pierce experts in future episodes, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the advancements and challenges within the firefighting community.

Whether you’re in the market for the latest in fire apparatus technology, or just passionate about the firefighting community and its evolution, this episode of Pierce™ Dispatch is for you.

For any feedback, questions or to subscribe, visit the Pierce™ Dispatch page.