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Command Zone Electronics Advance Vehicle Information and Diagnostics

22 March 1999

Command Zone Electronics Advance Vehicle Information and Diagnostics

    APPLETON, Wis.--March 19, 1999--Pierce Manufacturing Inc., the leading U.S. manufacturer of custom fire apparatus, unveiled its state-of-the-art electronics system for its fire apparatus at the Fire Department Instructors Conference in Indianapolis, Ind., on Friday, March 19. The new system is called the Command Zone(TM) because it provides an unprecedented level of fire-command information.
    The Command Zone electronics system encompasses all aspects of the vehicle's information and diagnostics systems, including multiplexing, the Pierce Micro Controller IV and Pierce Information Centers. Command Zone is the first fully integrated system in a fire apparatus that brings all these advanced electronics under a central control.
    By combining all these systems, Pierce fire apparatus can now be connected directly to Pierce headquarters by way of computer and modem for remote diagnostics and troubleshooting. Other benefits of this comprehensive system are:

-    Operators have instant access to vital vehicle operating
     information, including engine temperature, fuel level, oil
     pressure, engine overheat warning, etc., all displayed by two
     Pierce Information Centers.
-    State-of-the-art electrical system reliability because fewer
     wires and electrical connections mean fewer opportunities for
     problems.
-    Troubleshooting time can be reduced by as much as 50 percent
     because a technician can read necessary diagnostic information
     from a single source.
-    The diagnostic software package allows a technician to pinpoint
     problem areas in minutes, using built-in readout lights.
-    Command Zone system makes each vehicle ready to easily accept
     just about any conceivable option. The wiring is already set up
     so that each new option can be easily "programmed-in" to the
     system.

    "The Command Zone is the next generation of fire vehicle electronics and its only available from Pierce. It's an integrated, reliable system that monitors vehicle performance and informs the driver or the pump panel operator of the state of the apparatus," said John Randjelovic, president of Pierce Manufacturing.
    Multiplexing is the backbone of the Command Zone electronics, and Pierce is the first and only fire-apparatus manufacturer to fully integrate this technology throughout an entire fire apparatus. Multiplexing technology allows multiple electrical signals to be sent through two wires, whereas previously, a pumper could typically have as many as 250 separate wire circuits. Multiplexing provides a simple, more reliable system for integrating many complex electrical components. Pierce's system is designed to meet SAE J1939 standards.
    The Pierce Micro Controller IV is an integrated vehicle control and monitoring system which provides data to several information centers where a range of vital vehicle operating information is displayed. One display is located in the driver's instrument panel. A second display is located at the pump operator's panel. The displays allow the driver and pump operator to review items such as oil temperature, battery voltage, engine coolant check, fluid levels, pump hours and engine hours.
    Command Zone advanced electronics are available on Pierce Dash(R) 2000 and Lance(R) 2000 custom apparatus.

    Pierce Manufacturing Inc. is the leading U.S. manufacturer of custom fire apparatus and a subsidiary of Oshkosh Truck Corporation (NASDAQ - OTRKB). Products include custom and commercial pumpers, aerials, rescue trucks, wildland trucks, minipumpers and elliptical tankers.