Oshkosh Corp. - Experts & Thought Leaders

Darley, a globally renowned provider of defense, fire, and emergency services equipment, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jim Johnson to its Fire Advisory Board. Jim Johnson brings a wealth of industry experience and expertise in serving the fire industry. Jim Johnson served as President of Pierce Manufacturing from 2010 to 2023. He also served as an Executive Vice President of Oshkosh Corporation and President of Oshkosh's Fire & Emergency business segment with responsibility for the Frontline, Maximetal and Oshkosh Airport Products brands in addition to Pierce.  Prior roles of Jim Johnson Most recently, Jim Johnson served as the President of the company's Vocational business segment with the added responsibility for Oshkosh’s refuse vehicles, airport ground support equipment, utility and concrete truck brands in addition to his Fire & Emergency responsibilities before retiring in 2024. Jim started his career in Indianapolis as an attorney practicing commercial litigation. “We are truly honored and proud to have Jim Johnson join our Fire Advisory Board,” said Paul Darley, CEO of Darley, adding “We have been business associates and close friends for almost 20 years. He is a strategic visionary with an eye toward innovation and people. Under his leadership, Pierce grew to be the largest company in the fire industry. Jim’s combination of operational experience, legal mindset, executive presence, sound ethical corporate governance, and industry experience make him an invaluable board member.”

Oshkosh Airport Products, an Oshkosh Corporation business, announced the delivery of three new Striker® 8x8 Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) vehicles to serve Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport (MSP). The addition of these state-of-the-art vehicles strengthens MSP’s emergency response capabilities as it supports more than 37 million passengers and over 340,000 aircraft operations each year.  This delivery continues a long-standing partnership between the Metropolitan Airports Commission (MAC), which owns and operates MSP, and Oshkosh Airport Products, with the airport maintaining a 100 percent Oshkosh ARFF fleet. Firefighting performance “Our team is proud to support MSP with the delivery of three advanced Striker 8x8 ARFF vehicles, which will provide exceptional firefighting performance for one of the country’s most critical transportation hubs,” said Jack Bermingham, Business Unit Director for Oshkosh Airport Products. He adds, “Our decades-long relationship with the MAC is built on trust and performance, and these new units will help protect millions of travelers, airport personnel, and surrounding communities.” Unique operational and geographic demands MSP is the 18th busiest airport in US for passenger volume and the 21st for aircraft operations MSP is the 18th busiest airport in the United States for passenger volume and the 21st for aircraft operations. Nestled between the Twin Cities and several suburban communities, MSP operates with a single airfield, four runways, and two terminal buildings. The airport’s fire department is staffed by 55 full-time firefighters who respond to more than 3,000 emergency calls annually, covering the airfield, adjacent roadways, rivers, and public spaces.  The new Striker 8x8 vehicles provide impressive suppression power and functionality, helping the department meet the unique operational and geographic demands of the airport. Striker 8x8 ARFF Vehicle Features and Capabilities The three Striker 8x8 ARFF vehicles delivered to MSP include the following key features: Twin Scania DC16 V8, 770 HP, Tier 4F engines 4,500-gallon water tank 630-gallon foam tank 500 lb. dry chemical system 460 lb. Halotron system 65-foot Snozzle® high-reach extendable turret Low attack bumper turret Under-truck nozzles Electronic foam proportioning system with Oshkosh ECO-EFP™ foam testing system Boot wash decontamination hose Roof-mounted electric ladder gantry system Digital video recorder and integrated power unit Advanced turret capabilities Vehicles are designed to provide rapid response and comprehensive fire suppression coverage These vehicles are designed to provide rapid response and comprehensive fire suppression coverage across MSP’s airfield.  The large foam tanks and advanced turret capabilities offer responders great flexibility during critical incidents, while onboard systems like ECO-EFP™ support sustainable training and maintenance practices. MSP’s ongoing investments Jack Bermingham states, "The delivery of these vehicles marks another milestone in MSP’s ongoing investments in infrastructure and emergency services." He adds, "The Striker 8x8 vehicles will serve as a vital resource for years to come, supporting the airport’s mission to provide world-class safety and service."

Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, is proud to announce the continued momentum of the 2025 Pierce Road Rally as it nears its midpoint, visiting locations across the United States. Since kicking off in April, the Road Rally has brought Pierce’s latest fire apparatus and technology directly to fire departments across the U.S. and now enters an exciting summer stretch of events in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast. Lineup of advanced fire apparatus Each stop provides an immersive experience designed to help units evaluate the tools The 2025 U.S. Road Rally features a rotating lineup of advanced fire apparatus — including the Pierce Volterra™ electric pumper, heavy-duty Ascendant® aerial ladder and mid-mount tower trucks, a heavy-duty rescue, and PUC™ pumpers, along with direct access to Pierce product experts and dealer representatives. Each stop provides an immersive experience designed to help departments evaluate the tools and technologies needed to meet the complex challenges of today’s emergency response needs. Pierce Volterra electric fire truck Participants have the unique opportunity to drive the demonstration vehicles on their community streets, set up and operate aerial fire apparatus, flow water out of the Pierce Volterra electric fire truck, and much more. The Road Rally will continue into August, concluding at the Fire-Rescue International 2025 conference in Orlando, Florida. In-depth product conversations Pierce dealers Commercial Emergency Equipment and L’Arsenal completed a dedicated Canadian Road Rally In May and June 2025, Pierce dealers Commercial Emergency Equipment and L’Arsenal completed a dedicated Canadian Road Rally, which brought hands-on demonstrations and in-depth product conversations to fire departments across 19 stops in Ontario and Quebec.  The Canadian tour included a Pierce Ascendant 107’ heavy-duty aerial ladder, an Ascendant 100’ heavy-duty aerial tower with mid-mount configuration, and a PUC pumper. Real opportunities for collaboration “We’re proud to see the momentum of the Road Rally grow as we reach more departments across North America,” said Bob Schulz, President of Pierce Manufacturing. He adds, “These events deliver more than just product displays. They offer real opportunities for education, collaboration, and innovation to support the fire service at every level.” Upcoming U.S. Road Rally Stops The next U.S. Road Rally stops take place throughout July and August and include 12 locations from Pennsylvania to New Jersey, Maryland to Ohio, and Kentucky to the Carolinas. Events will feature hands-on demonstrations and opportunities to explore advanced Pierce apparatus.

Local governments in the U.S. are embracing electric and hybrid vehicles in a big way, and many states have implemented incentives to promote adoption of the futuristic technologies. However, fire department vehicles and apparatus are yet to embrace the transition, largely because vehicles were not available that both meet the needs of firefighters and provide environmental advantages. However, fire vehicle technology is farther along the electric and hybrid path than some people realize. Electric and hybrid vehicles for the fire service are making their way into the market and may be deployed soon in a neighborhood near you. Zero-Emissions pumper Oshkosh Corp., which includes Pierce Manufacturing, has introduced the Volterra platform of electric vehicles for the fire and emergency market. The first Pierce Volterra zero-emissions pumper has been placed in service with the Madison, Wis., Fire Department, making it the first electric fire truck in service in North America. The Volterra pumper is serving front-line duty at Station 8, the City of Madison’s busiest fire station. The department is made up of 14 fire stations serving 100 square miles and a population of more than 250,000. The Volterra electric vehicle configuration weighs 42,000 lbs., seats six, has a 1500 GPM single-stage pump, 500-gallon water tank, 150 cu ft of compartmentation plus ladder storage, and a hose capacity of 1000 feet of 5-in hose. Pierce Manufacturing and Oshkosh Airport Products have introduced the Volterra™ platform of electric vehicles for the fire and emergency market Infinitely variable transmission An Oshkosh parallel-electric drivetrain with an electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission allows zero-emissions operation when powered by onboard batteries. An internal combustion engine provides uninterrupted power to the pumping system or drive system. The first Striker ARFF will be delivered to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport Fire Department Oshkosh also provides a Volterra platform for a hybrid Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle, which is debuting at airports across the United States. The hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) meets the growing emergency response needs among airports of all sizes in an environmentally conscious way. Firefighters will be able to experience the technology first-hand. The first Striker ARFF will be delivered to the Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) Fire Department in late summer 2021. Advanced safety systems Available on a 4x4 and 6x6 chassis platforms, the Striker Volterra performance hybrid delivers superior chassis performance, advanced safety systems, innovative fire suppression technology, reliability and durability. In April, Rosenbauer America’s Revolutionary Technology (RT) concept truck made its national debut in Washington, D.C., displayed for members of the Senate and firefighters based on the district. The viewing was held as Congress considers an infrastructure and jobs plan. “The Rosenbauer RT is the fire truck of the future,” says John Slawson, CEO and President of Rosenbauer America. “Build from the ground up using advanced materials and technologies, the RT is the safest fire truck on the roads today – for firefighters, for communities and for the environment.” The fully electric apparatus features a high level of safety, excellent driving dynamics and maneuverability and is fully networked. Rosenbauer's Revolutionary Technology (RT) fully electric fire truck visits Engine 3 in Washington, D.C. Auxiliary equipment chargers The RT’s electric drive is powerful and noise emission-free. The electric drive train ensures that almost no fuel is combusted while driving. Lighting and auxiliary equipment chargers are also powered by the batteries. A local power grid can be created with up to 14 kW operated simultaneously via the power outlet. A built-in range extender (REX) comprises a small diesel engine powering a large generator Conceived as a multi-purpose vehicle, the RT is a pumper first and foremost, a connected mobile command unit, and a vehicle for assistance in wildland fires. A built-in range extender (REX) comprises a small diesel engine powering a large generator. Volvo Penta developed the electric driveline for Rosenbauer’s RT fire truck, which is also being tested in fire departments in Berlin, Amsterdam and Dubai. Pioneering electric drivelines “After many years of successful collaboration with Rosenbauer, we are proud to be pioneering electric drivelines and partnering with them on this revolutionary project,” says Paul Jansson, Chief Product Manager at Volvo Penta. “This is our first industrial OEM partnership in the area of electromobility, and it’s a big step toward creating a new product platform of the future.” The new fire truck aims to respond to global megatrends such as climate change, shifting demographics and urbanization – and their impact on the work of fire departments.  Firefighters responding to a call need a vehicle capable of high speed, rapid acceleration hard braking and maneuverability.