From the Pierce Facebook page:
This #Enforcer 110’ #AscendantPlatform will store extrication equipment in the front bumper and ALS equipment inside the cab compartment. The exterior compartments will store air bags and cribbing. The bottom of the platform is colored green and reflects light in the dark to create better visibility. #AerialPlatform #OakBrookIL?Overall height: 12’ 6”Overall length: 42’Pump: Pierce #PUCPump, 1500 gpmTank: 500-gallonJob Number: 36171
Pierce photo
thanks Danny
#1 by Tom W on January 5, 2022 - 10:21 PM
Thanks for confirming what you’ve been told Rich. What a shame on all ends! All it will take, is one of the residents to call 911 for an emergency with major delays, and then they will(or may not) wake up and smell the coffee. Very short sighted and narrow minded in Oak Brook!
#2 by Rich s. on January 5, 2022 - 7:51 PM
Tom W. From what I have been told yes they are already looking into getting rid of it. And the “tax payers “ hate the fire department openly. They are probably going to be closing the headquarters house and only running out of 22nd street. They are having issues meeting auto aid and mutual aid . This is a department in serious trouble. Limited manpower and getting worse.
#3 by The DH on January 5, 2022 - 9:24 AM
Harry, 5 years isn’t really that long in the lifespan of a fire apparatus…considering departments own them for 15-20+ years. Also, if you buy a rig, most departments don’t have the money to just sell it and get something else in 5 years, you’re stuck with the turd. The Ascendant line is still a baby, time will tell. Most of what’s been sold are the 107′ sticks and the midmounts…not many buy these “tower ladders”
#4 by harry on January 5, 2022 - 9:22 AM
they should have leased this
#5 by Tim on January 5, 2022 - 8:08 AM
Harry you’re getting me confused with other members on this blog. I haven’t made any comments regarding the Ascendant. I’ve spent many years on Pierce trucks and Pierce tower but none were the Ascendant, so therefore I can’t and won’t comment on it. Just because depts. are buying it doesn’t mean you know they love it. You’re speculating.
#6 by DG on January 4, 2022 - 11:08 PM
I saw this in OB today (1/4/21), appeared they were doing driver’s training or something of that nature.
#7 by harry on January 4, 2022 - 10:56 PM
tim one more thing is the ascendent line has been in production almost 5 years if it truly is so bad of a product why is it still out
#8 by harry on January 4, 2022 - 10:53 PM
tim well tim just look on the pierce website they have sold many of these north aurora ,oak brook , pk ridge and many in fl at least one in ga and many thought out the country
#9 by Tom W on January 4, 2022 - 10:12 PM
Rich S., is this statement true, “ OB is already considering selling it. The department is not in a good position and they only bought this because it was to late to cancel the order?” If this is accurate, the tax payers in this community should be up in arms. Complete fiscal irresponsibility by their local government!
#10 by Tim on January 4, 2022 - 8:30 PM
Who loves this harry?
#11 by harry on January 4, 2022 - 6:06 PM
i know a lot of depts that love this
#12 by rich s. on January 4, 2022 - 3:53 PM
This is not a “Tower Ladder” It’s a aerial ladder with a standing platform attached to the tip. It is NOT designed to be used as a Tower Ladder would be. And from what I am hearing OB is already considering selling it. The department is not in a good position and they only bought this because it was to late to cancel the order. They are in no way even close to being able to continue to run as they should. The village does not want the department anymore and is doing everything they can to dissolve it. This is a terrible purchase
#13 by Localguy on December 29, 2021 - 4:10 PM
Sorry, you are correct. You’re listing what you “lose” not what the rating is. Second time I read that I got it. Blonde moment.
#14 by Localguy on December 29, 2021 - 4:08 PM
I think you meant 750 tip load dry and 35mph wind.
#15 by Jeremy B. on December 29, 2021 - 3:16 PM
Just based on the specs according to Pierce, the Ascendant 110′ seems like a negative trade-off. You lose 2-8 sq. ft. worth of bucket space when compared to the 100′ HD Steel platform, along with 250 lbs of dry tip weight, up to 15 mph of wind rating, *and* up to 1750 gpm of flow rate. In exchange, you get 10 extra feet of vertical, and 3 extra feet of horizontal reach.
The master stream is also placed under the bucket, and as far as I can tell, there is no way to get an outlet at the top, so you lose the ability to do a flying standpipe with it. I didn’t even touch on the single axle and the weight issues with that either.
Also, please correct me if I’m wrong, but the 110′ platform appears to be the 107′ stick, with the normal tip removed and replaced by the ~3-4 foot bucket, which adds the extra 3 feet to the length.
I’ll admit I’m just a layperson, but the numbers and specs just don’t seem to favor it, and I would be disappointed if my tax money were spent on one.
#16 by Tom W on December 29, 2021 - 1:55 PM
I think the lettering “tower” on the jump-seat doors say it all! It’s a mini tower ladder 94!
#17 by The DH on December 29, 2021 - 11:29 AM
Dan- OB runs about 2500-2800 calls/year. The current truck is a 2014, but it was in an accident within a year or two of delivery and hasn’t really been the same since, OOS a fair amount.
#18 by crabbymilton on December 29, 2021 - 9:08 AM
Well 15-20 years is pretty much the norm anyway. I know it’s perhaps broad brush but at least in front line service most don’t keep them beyond that time but it could be a spare/reserve when it’s 20-30 years old. Time will tell but these ASCENDANT’s are too new to see how the single axle will support it long term.
#19 by Mike hellmuth on December 29, 2021 - 8:32 AM
Does anyone know if Pierce still makes the allsteer available? Bourbonnais
has two a custom pumper/tanker and a 85ft platform……..
#20 by Mike C on December 29, 2021 - 6:26 AM
I would love to get my hands on this truck in 15 years to see how it’s holding up. I highly doubt 15 years from now Oakbrook even has this truck.
#21 by crabbymilton on December 29, 2021 - 6:22 AM
Nice color combo.
#22 by Dan on December 28, 2021 - 8:58 PM
Why the new TL? Their current truck does not look more then a few years old. OB cannot run that many calls?
#23 by John on December 28, 2021 - 8:08 PM
I’m curious what the rear axle weighs. With a pump, a 500 tank, and the 110′ tower, with fuel, equipment, and crew, that single axle has to be pretty taxed….
#24 by Tim on December 28, 2021 - 6:59 PM
The lime green creates better visibility….along with the all black ladder and basket….
#25 by Tim on December 28, 2021 - 6:48 PM
Me neither.
#26 by Tim on December 28, 2021 - 4:58 PM
Not a fan of the lime green under the bucket