Information from King County

King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) will be the first airport in the nation to receive a Striker Volterra 6x6 Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) hybrid electric fire engine after finalizing purchase details yesterday with Oshkosh Airport Products, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. The new rig complements the airport's existing diesel-powered firefighting vehicles also made by Oshkosh Airport Products and will allow the airport to retire its oldest diesel fire truck.

“Climate change is an urgent global crisis that requires us all to do our part, in ways large and small, to shrink our carbon footprint,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “We are operating a major international airport, and this first-of-its-kind hybrid fire truck is another way we are leading the way on reducing both carbon emissions and the harms to communities most impacted by ambient pollution.”

Based on Oshkosh’s proprietary technology, the new Striker Volterra ARFF hybrid electric vehicle was developed to meet the growing emergency response and environmentally-conscious needs among airports of all sizes. The patented hybrid-electric drivetrain features an electro-mechanical infinitely variable transmission, which allows zero-emissions with primary day-to-day operations when powered by the integrated onboard batteries and can be coupled to the internal combustion engine to provide continuous and uninterrupted power to the emergency response systems.

“The Striker Volterra ARFF hybrid electric vehicle provides the environmental benefits fire departments request, without having to compromise on the most advanced operational performance, functionality, safety attributes, customization, and the traditional configurations and styling firefighters expect from our fire apparatus,” said Jack Bermingham, business unit director for Oshkosh Airport Products. “We’re confident KCIA’s new Striker Volterra will provide reliable and proven support for critical missions while maximizing the benefits of fuel and emissions reduction.”

“We’re looking forward to being the first airport in the nation to own and operate a Striker Volterra ARFF Vehicle,” said John Parrott, director of KCIA. “It’s an investment toward our climate goals and our vision of creating a world-class airport.”

When fully loaded, the Striker Volterra can go from zero to 50 miles per hour in 25 seconds and achieve 28 percent improved acceleration over the standard diesel model.

“I am thrilled to see King County International Airport-Boeing Field leading the way in improving emergency response times and prioritizing safety for our communities,” said King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall. “The investment into a new hybrid electric fire engine highlights their commitment to a greener and more efficient firefighting approach and ensures enhanced safety measures for all.”

The Striker Volterra features a full-EV drive and standby mode that allows for zero emissions operation. The rig operates in full electric mode for fire station entry and exit with zero emissions, keeping the air inside the station cleaner. Using onboard energy storage, the vehicle can also idle for up to an hour with zero emissions. As an evolution of the diesel Striker model already owned by KCIA, the new Striker Volterra should require little if any additional training for King County ARFF personnel.

King County expects to take delivery of the new vehicle in mid-2024.