Oise Fire and Rescue department unveils 32-metre aerial platform truck equipped with an Allison automatic transmission at the 120th French Firefighters Congress in Chambéry, Rh?ne-Alpes.

A new flexible fire and rescue aerial platform truck, featuring an Allison 3200 fully automatic transmission and a Renault Premium 340.19D chassis, is introduced as a direct competitor  to the traditional ladder truck. According to Oise Fire and Rescue, the transmission and chassis combination offers firefighters maximum flexibility, and has quickly proven to be indispensable. With a 32-metre arm and integrated Finnish Bronto Skylift system, the vehicle is designed for all types of intervention, from civilian search and rescue to fighting fires.

Oise Fire and Rescue has 23 vehicles equipped with Allison fully automatic transmissions, including three aerial platform trucks which spearhead its fleet. The trucks equipped with Allison transmissions are a distinct advantage for drivers, who no longer have to worry about gear changes and are able to concentrate on their driving, keeping both hands on the wheel. Allison Continuous Power Technology delivers full power shifts, ensuring exceptional performance and precision manoeuvring. The firefighters, who frequently operate under difficult conditions, were immediately appreciative of the platform vehicle’s ability to cope with situations requiring a high degree of technical skill.

Lieutenant-colonel Regis Baujoin, Head of Logistics for Oise Fire and Rescue said: ‘The purchase of aerial platform vehicles equipped with Allison transmissions was both a technical and operational choice. The transmissions’ manoeuvrability and ease of use were decisive factors in light of the need to operate in confined spaces and rural areas. Furthermore, the safety aspect of the vehicle is a real asset. These elements together make the aerial platform solution a trustworthy ally for firefighters who continually work in emergency situations.’

The aerial platform truck was recently used to tackle a downtown house fire.  While travelling to the fire, the driver benefited from the vehicle’s superb manoeuvrability, especially considering the challenging conditions of steeply sloped roads, pavement of varying heights and parked cars scattered throughout the operation site. Once in place, within minutes, jacks were positioned on both sides of the truck to ensure stability and level the vehicle as the front of the truck stood 80 centimetres high, while the back seemed to float 20 centimetres above the ground. The aerial platform was then used by the firefighters to efficiently extinguish the fire.   

This summer, the multi-use aerial platform was mobilised to assist locals impacted by a violent hailstorm which destroyed roofs and skylights in more than 300 homes.

‘Allison transmissions are designed to reliably perform tough operations in extreme conditions, making Allison a preferred partner of firefighting departments around the world. This demanding sector requires comfort, safety, handling and durability, and our transmissions deliver,’ said Manlio Alvaro, Allison Transmission Marketing Manager for Europe, Middle East and Africa.