Minneapolis Fire Department obtains 100-foot aerial tiller unit (with related video)

The Minneapolis Fire Department has taken delivery on a Pierce Arrow XT 100-foot aerial tiller apparatus. The unit goes into service sometime early this month.

“This is our third Pierce aerial tiller and they’ve been a great rig for us — very capable maneuvering through the tight streets of Minneapolis,” says Raymond V. Cruz, the department’s Deputy Chief of Logistics and Engineering. “The new unit will carry ladders, saws, fans, lights pumps and extrication tools. It will be stationed on the south side of the city and also respond to the University of Minnesota campus.”

The tiller apparatus has Pierce’s Detroit Diesel DD13 500-horsepower engine as well as TAK-4 independent suspension systems on both the front axle and rear tiller cab axle. The suspension units will ensure maneuverability on the city’s narrow streets. The apparatus includes side roll and frontal impact airbag protection systems, a Command Zone electronics system, and 10 equipment storage compartments with roll-up doors. The 100-foot medium-duty ladder features a “clean tip” design to reduce potential obstructions for firefighters working at the ladder’s tip.
The Minneapolis Fire Department is a career department that provides fire protection and first responder emergency medical services to Minneapolis. The department operates out of 19 fire stations located throughout the city, and responds to approximately 40,000 emergency calls each year. It is Minnesota’s largest fire department.

Pierce dealer, North Star Fire Apparatus of Apple Valley, Minn., in conjunction with Red Power Diesel Service, provides local service and support.

Appleton, Wis.-based Pierce Manufacturing produces custom fire apparatus. Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers, elliptical tankers, and homeland security apparatus.

In the video, Brad White from North Star Fire Apparatus explains why the Minneapolis Fire Department chose this Arrow XT 100-foot Medium Duty Tiller.

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