Pierce Manufacturing Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation business, has marked a significant milestone with the delivery of its 4,000th Pierce Ultimate Configuration (PUC) Pump. The landmark order, placed through Hughes Fire Equipment, has now entered service with the Clark County Fire Department in Nevada, one of the largest and most operationally diverse fire departments in the United States.
First launched in 2007, the PUC concept reshaped conventional fire apparatus design by removing the traditional pumphouse and streamlining the pump system into a more efficient layout. This configuration frees valuable space for equipment, simplifies operation, and maintains high levels of pump, foam, and water delivery performance. The PUC is available across pumpers, rescue pumpers, tankers, and aerial platforms, making it a versatile solution for modern fire services.
“When we introduced the PUC pump, our goal was simple: listen to firefighters and design an apparatus that makes their jobs safer and more efficient,” said John Schultz, vice president and general manager pumper products, Pierce Manufacturing. “To see it reach 4,000 deliveries nearly two decades later speaks to the trust fire departments place in Pierce and the dedication of the team members who have shaped the PUC pump’s evolution over the years.”
Clark County Fire Department covers around 8,000 square miles of urban, suburban, and rural terrain, including the Las Vegas Strip, McCarran International Airport, major hospitality sites, and vast recreational areas such as Red Rock Canyon and Lake Mead. With more than 1,400 personnel operating from stations positioned across the region, the department handles a wide spectrum of emergency incidents, ranging from high-rise structural fires and hazardous materials responses to wildland and technical rescue operations. These varied demands require apparatus that combine durability, capability, and adaptability, making the Pierce PUC Pumper well suited to the department’s operational profile.
The delivery comprises three identical Pierce Velocity PUC Pumpers. Each unit features a Velocity custom chassis, a PACCAR MX 13 engine delivering 510 horsepower and 1,850 lb ft of torque, a 1,500 GPM PUC pump, a 750 gallon water tank, TAK 4 Independent Front Suspension, a 189 inch PUC body design, frontal impact protection, an Extreme Duty Air Conditioning Package, the Command Zone advanced electronics system, the HAAS Collision Mitigation System, and the ClearSky Intelligence Connected Solutions suite. The enclosed pump operator’s panel supports improved protection from environmental exposure while reducing maintenance demands and enhancing operational efficiency.
“Hughes Fire Equipment and the Clark County Fire Department share a long-standing relationship rooted in collaboration and mutual commitment to public safety,” said Scott Olmos, sales representative, Hughes Fire Equipment. “Reaching the 4,000th PUC Pump milestone is an achievement we’re honoured to celebrate alongside a department that represents excellence in service and readiness. Our team takes pride in supporting their mission with apparatus built for reliability, safety, and innovation.”
This milestone underscores the sustained confidence fire services place in the PUC platform to streamline operations, improve safety, and maximise performance. Further information on Pierce’s PUC Pump and the wider range of fire apparatus solutions is available at www.piercemfg.com
