Oshkosh Truck Subsidiary, Pierce Manufacturing, Extends Popular Contender Series Line of Fire Trucks with New Wildland Brush Rig

    OSHKOSH, Wis.--Aug. 23, 2002--Oshkosh Truck Corporation announced today that its fire apparatus subsidiary, Pierce Manufacturing Inc., has developed a new all-wheel-drive wildland brush truck. This value priced fire apparatus is designed specifically for quick attack, brush fire and small-scale urban interface fire fighting operations. The first unit was introduced at Fire Rescue International in Kansas City, Mo. It will be marketed under Pierce's popular Contender(R) Series name.
    "Wildland and urban interface fire fighting are a growing concern for many communities throughout North America. Pierce has consistently expanded its product offering to address the unique demands of wildland and urban-interface response. This Contender Series apparatus provides another, very affordable choice for departments that need to expand their off-road fire fighting capabilities," said Robert G. Bohn, Oshkosh's chairman, president and chief executive officer.
    The Contender Series NFPA 1906 Brush Truck meets all National Fire Protection Association 1906 specifications. The fire truck carries 400 gallons of water and is equipped with a rear-mounted pump. Hose and tools are easy to access from trays mounted between the body compartments and the cab. Standard storage includes 22-inch-deep side compartments. A Hannay(R) electric rewind hosereel for 150 feet of 1-inch line is mounted atop the water tank or at the rear of the vehicle. All of this fire fighting capability rides on a two-door 4x4 Super Duty F550 XL Ford chassis, which provides all-wheel-drive power and high ground clearance for off-road response.

    Oshkosh Truck Corporation is a leading manufacturer of specialty trucks and truck bodies for the fire and emergency, defense, concrete placement, and refuse hauling markets. Oshkosh Truck is a Fortune 1000 company with products marketed under the Oshkosh, Pierce, McNeilus, Medtec, Geesink and Norba brand names. The company is headquartered in Oshkosh, Wis., and had annual sales of $1.45 billion in fiscal 2001.