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.

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.

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.

In this episode of the Pierce™ Dispatch, we highlight the Build My Pierce™ Program, which allows customers to design custom-built fire apparatus with a streamlined and accelerated process. Sales representative for Pierce dealer, MacQueen, Dave Polkow highlights the program's key benefits, including shorter lead times and efficient communication. Additionally, Assistant Chief Lopez from Tamarac Fire Rescue in South Florida shares his department’s experience with the program, noting the ease and flexibility in meeting his department’s needs. The episode emphasizes how the BMP™ program benefits customers by offering tailored solutions and efficient production timelines.

Date Aired: 11/29/2024

Featuring: Host Alie Reetz & Dave Polkow, Pierce Sales Representative for MacQueen and Assistant Chief Jeffrey Lopez of Tamarac Fire Rescue in South Florida

Guests:

• Dave Polkow a Pierce sales representative for MacQueen, in Northern Indiana.
• Assistant Chief Jeffery Lopez is on Tamarac Fire Rescue in South Florida.
• 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.

Key Takeaways:

• Build My Pierce Program
  • Fire apparatus configurator benefits
• Fire Apparatus Build Process
  • Fire apparatus design ordering process
• BMP delivery: Gary Fire Department, Gary, Indiana
• Heavy-Duty Rescue Pumper
  • Advancements in rescue pumper storage
  • Multipurpose fire trucks
• 75’ Heavy-Duty Aluminum Aerial Ladder
• Pierce dealers

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.

In this episode of the Pierce™ Dispatch, Dave McAlice, the Northeast regional vice president of sales at Pierce Manufacturing discusses aerial apparatus. He provides an in-depth look at the functions of aerial ladders, platforms and tillers. He shares aerial design tactics and tips to meet specific community needs. We discuss the procurement of an aerial apparatus, and how to optimize a fire department’s efficiency and effectiveness. Dave also shares some of his most memorable customer experiences from various fire departments including Salem, Massachusetts, Providence, Rhode Island, New Hartford, Connecticut and Cooperstown, New York.

Date Aired: 11/15/2024

Featuring: Pierce regional vice president of sales Dave McAlice & host Alie Reetz

Guests:

• Dave McAlice serves as the regional vice president of sales for the Northeast region at Pierce Manufacturing. He collaborates closely with Pierce dealers and customers to ensure seamless apparatus procurement. For the past 16 years, he has managed the Northeast region in collaboration with the Pierce dealer network. With his firefighting roots and his hands-on experience with customers regarding their aerial apparatus, Dave is an expert in aerial apparatus.

Resources:

Aerials

• Types of aerial devices
• Types of aerial fire trucks
• Types of fire trucks

Ascendant® Class of Aerials

• Ascendant aerial guide

Aerial Ladders
Aerial Platforms

Tillers

• Tractor drawn aerial

Aerial Operations

Aerial Design

• Aerial no pump and no tank vs. aerial with pump and tank
• Maximize aerial fire truck storage
• How to find the right aerial fire truck for urban fires
• What is a quint fire truck
• Fire apparatus design ordering process

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.

In this episode of the Pierce™ Dispatch, we welcome customers who are completing final inspections on their new apparatus from across the nation. Assistant Chief Ryan Harrigan of the Roseville Fire Department in California introduces their new Type 1 engine, highlighting its custom features and their upcoming station opening. Fire Chief Jeremy Wade from Sand Springs Fire Department in Oklahoma discusses the procurement of a new pumper which supports consistency within their fleet and operations. Todd Rishling, President of the Wonder Lake Fire Protection District’s Board of Trustees in Illinois, talks about their Enforcer™ engine designed to meet community needs. Chief John Baker from the Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Connecticut shares about their Enforcer™ Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder. He elaborates on how these upgrades enhance their fire suppression and extrication capabilities, while also improving community engagement and team motivation.

Date Aired: 11/01/2024

Featuring: Sand Springs Fire Department in Oklahoma, Wonder Lake Fire Protection in Illinois, Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Connecticut, Roseville Fire Department in California and Host Alie Reetz

Guests:

• Assistant Chief Ryan Harrigan – Roseville Fire Department in California
• Fire Chief Jeremy Wade – Sand Springs Fire Department in Oklahoma
• President of the Board of Trustees Todd Rishling – Wonder Lake Fire Protection District in Illinois
• Chief John Baker – Stony Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Connecticut

Resources:

• Enforcer™ Pumper – Roseville Fire Department, Roseville, California
  • Job Number: 38915
  • Dealership: Golden State Fire Apparatus, Inc.
• Velocity® Pumper – Sand Springs Fire Department, Sand Springs, Oklahoma
  • Job Number: 38942
  • Dealership: Conrad Fire Equipment, Inc.
• Enforcer™ Pumper – Wonder Lake Fire Protection District, Wonder Lake, Illinois
  • Job Number: 39890
  • Dealership: MacQueen
• Enforcer™ Ascendant® 107’ Heavy-Duty Aerial Ladder – Stony Hill Fire Department, Bethel, Connecticut
  • Job Number: 42321
  • Dealership: Firematic Supply Company, Inc.
• Fire Apparatus
• Fire Apparatus Design: A Step-By-Step Guide:

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.

In this episode we discuss post-traumatic stress disorder in the fire industry with Conrad Weaver, a filmmaker and podcast host from Emmitsburg, Maryland. Conrad shares his experiences while creating and sharing the documentary PTSD911 with firefighters across America. He describes the challenges first responders face with recognizing and addressing PTSD, the impact of trauma and the importance of a supportive culture in firehouses. Conrad also shares the role of leadership in promoting mental health and wellness.

Date Aired: 10/18/2024

Featuring: Conrad Weaver & Alie Reetz

Guests:

• Conrad Weaver has worked with first responders from across the country to create and share the documentary film PTSD911. He also hosts The Wellness Channel for First Responders podcast.
• 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:
If you or someone you know in the fire industry is struggling with PTSD, please visit ResponderStrong: https://responderstrong.org/ or call (206) 459-3020 for assistance.

If you are interested in learning more about Conrad Weaver’s film or podcast to support first responders visit the links below:

• https://ptsd911movie.com/
• https://www.youtube.com/@TheWellnessChannel4First

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.

Tune in to hear Chris Medlock, Pierce’s product manager of connected solutions, share on the cutting-edge Pierce technology, ClearSky Intelligence™ Connectivity Solutions. We discuss the details of ClearSky Intelligence Connectivity Solutions. and its integration with Command Zone™—a proprietary multiplexed electrical system built for fire apparatus. Chris explains how ClearSky Intelligence gathers performance data from fire apparatus, enabling users to receive real-time alerts and increase vehicle uptime. The benefits in which ClearSky Intelligence offers to the fire service include customized reporting, geo-fencing, enhanced troubleshooting, predictive maintenance and more. ClearSky Intelligence is revolutionizing the way fire departments manage their apparatus.

Date Aired: 10/04/2024

Featuring: Host Alie Reetz & Chis Medlock, Pierce Product Manager – Connected Solutions

Guests:

• Chris Medlock is the product manager of connected solutions at Pierce. He serves as the Battalion Chief on the Village of Bristol Fire Department in Bristol, Wisconsin. Chris works close with Pierce customers in relation to the connected solutions Pierce offers.
• 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.

Key Takeaways:

⁠Pierce® ClearSky Intelligence™ Connectivity Solutions⁠

• ⁠Video Demo 1⁠
• ⁠Video Demo 2⁠

⁠Pierce Command Zone™⁠

• ⁠Video Demo 1⁠
• ⁠Fire Truck Telematics⁠

⁠Fleet standardization and consistency⁠

• ⁠Fire apparatus trends⁠

⁠Pierce dealers⁠

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.