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A Mobile Command Vehicle for Denton Public Safety sitting outside on a sunny day.

Before investing in a purpose-built mobile command vehicle, the City of Denton relied on something a little less conventional: a retired city bus that had been repurposed for emergency response.

In this case study, we take a closer look at how Denton transitioned from a makeshift command setup to a fully integrated Frontline Communications mobile command vehicle, and how a trusted relationship with Pierce Manufacturing led the city to Frontline Communications.

From a Converted Bus to Growing Operational Demands

An old red city bus sitting on pavement in front of a building with blue sky and green trees in the background.For years, Denton’s emergency response teams, including police and fire, operated out of a mobile command vehicle built from a converted 1980s commuter bus. While unconventional, it provided a central space where departments could come together and coordinate during incidents. However, for obvious reasons, the vehicle had its limitations. 

“The bus had been here even before I joined the fire department,” said Captain Michael Ventrca of the Denton Fire Department, who has been with the department since 2006. “It was gutted and outfitted with cabinets and radios, but it never truly functioned as a full command vehicle. All it really did was give the chiefs and teams a place to come together.”

As incidents became more complex, the limitations of the setup became harder to work around. “It did what we needed it to do early on,” Michael added, “but it wasn’t built for the level of communication and coordination we rely on today.”

When the opportunity arose to secure additional funding, the department saw it as the right time to invest in a purpose-built mobile command vehicle.

A Trusted Partnership with Pierce Manufacturing

The Denton Fire Department has been a longtime partner with Pierce Manufacturing, and has always been happy with the craftsmanship behind the fire trucks from Pierce. This worked out perfectly for the department when it was time to purchase the new mobile command vehicle, considering Frontline Communications’ is a division of Pierce Manufacturing.

Denton’s Pierce dealer, Siddons-Martin Emergency Group, also serves as its local Frontline Communications dealer, allowing the department to move forward with a team it already knew and trusted. That familiarity helped streamline the early stages of the process and made communication seamless from the start.

“I was at Pierce’s headquarters doing the final walkthrough on our new ladder truck when the chief called about a mobile command vehicle,” Ventrca said. “Since I was already there working with Pierce, we were able to start the conversation and get things moving that same day. It couldn’t have worked out any better.”

Tap into the Pierce Manufacturing and Frontline Communications Dealership Network.

Designing the Right Mobile Command Vehicle

The interior of a Mobile Command Vehicle showing 4 screens above a desk with two chairs.Working closely with Frontline Communications and Siddons-Martin, the department was able to design a mobile command vehicle tailored specifically to its operational needs. Layout decisions, workstation configurations and communication capabilities were all carefully considered to ensure the vehicle would support multi-agency coordination in the field. To better understand what was possible, the Denton team also had the opportunity to tour a nearby mobile command vehicle in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Seeing a Frontline Communications mobile command vehicle in action provided insight into how the space could function during real-world incidents, from technology integration to overall workflow.

“Our dealer helped connect us with the department so we could walk through their vehicle, see how it was set up and understand the decisions behind their features and customizations,” said Ventrca. “That really helped us define what we wanted.”

Get a more in-depth look at how your local dealer can help build the right unit for your operations.

A Mobile Command Vehicle Built for Denton’s Operations

The interior of a Mobile Command Vehicle showing four screens mounted above a desk with two chairs and two keyboards sitting on it.Every element of Denton’s new mobile command vehicle was intentionally planned to support multi-agency coordination and create a more efficient command environment during incidents.

The unit features three distinct rooms, allowing multiple departments to work together while maintaining separation when needed. For example, the police department has a dedicated space where they can isolate themselves to focus on sensitive operations, while still remaining connected to the overall incident response.

“Our makeshift, gutted bus was really just a place to meet and get out of the heat on hot days,” said Ventrca. “This new vehicle has a completely different layout and the advanced technology we need—and now it’s all integrated instead of pieced together like it was in the bus.”

This level of integration allows decision-makers to assess conditions more accurately, communicate more effectively and respond with greater confidence, according to Ventrca.

Check out other new Frontline Communications deliveries.

Mobile Command Vehicle in Action: Real-World Performance

How has the new mobile command vehicle been performing? “Oh, it’s been absolutely great,” said Ventrca. “A complete 180 from our makeshift bus.”

The interior of a Mobile Command Vehicle showing a back wall with three monitors and a white board.The vehicle recently responded to its first major incident, during which both Denton’s fire and police departments fully utilized its integrated technology in real time.

“We had live video from mast cameras positioned on the building, along with drone footage, all streaming directly into the command unit,” Ventrca said. “It gave leadership a clear, immediate view of the situation as it unfolded.”

With SWAT commanders and other decision-makers able to view live footage inside the mobile command vehicle, coordination became more efficient and informed. Instead of relying solely on radio communication or fragmented updates, teams could see exactly what was happening in real time, according to Ventrca.

“It was just really amazing to have everything functioning how it should have been,” Ventrca added. “It gave our teams complete visibility into the entire situation.”

A Strong Partnership from Build to Aftermarket Support

Beyond the vehicle itself, Denton’s experience working with Frontline Communications and Siddons-Martin Emergency Group played a major role in the project’s success.

“It really was a team effort,” said Ventrca. “It almost felt like a family atmosphere, with everyone involved in the process to make sure we were building something that would work.”

Just as important as the design and delivery is the ongoing aftermarket support. Because Denton worked through its local Frontline Communications dealer, the department has access to fast, reliable aftermarket service and maintenance support close to home.

“From the vehicle to the support we continue to receive, we’re extremely happy with how everything turned out,” Ventrca added. “It’s been a great investment for us. We’ve come a long way since our gutted bus.” 

Want to enhance your emergency response with a Frontline Communications mobile command vehicle? Contact your local dealer.

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About Frontline Communications
Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., an Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK) business, is the leading manufacturer of custom command and communications vehicles. The company’s wide range of products, including SUV’s, Vans and Heavy-Duty Custom Aluminum Bodies are valued for their quality, advanced technology and integration capability that perform in the most extreme environments. Frontline Communications is an ISO 9001:2015 Registered company. Visit www.frontlinecomm.com for more information.

About Oshkosh Corporation

At Oshkosh (NYSE: OSK), we make innovative, purpose-built vehicles and equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs over 18,000 team members worldwide, all united behind a common purpose: to make a difference in people’s lives. Oshkosh products can be found in more than 150 countries under the brands of JLG®, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® S-Series™, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™, Oshkosh® Defense and Pratt Miller. For more information, visit oshkoshcorp.com.

®, ™ All brand names referred to in this news release are trademarks of Oshkosh Corporation or its subsidiary companies.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that the Company believes to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact, including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s future financial position, business strategy, targets, projected sales, costs, earnings, capital expenditures, debt levels and cash flows, and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. When used in this news release, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “should,” “project” or “plan” or the negative thereof or variations thereon or similar terminology are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company’s control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include the extent of supply chain and logistics disruptions, particularly as demand rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic; the Company’s ability to increase prices or impose surcharges to raise margins or to offset higher input costs, including increased raw material, labor and freight costs; the cyclical nature of the Company’s access equipment, commercial and fire & emergency markets, which are particularly impacted by the strength of U.S. and European economies and construction seasons; the Company’s estimates of access equipment demand which, among other factors, is influenced by historical customer buying patterns and rental company fleet replacement strategies; the Company’s ability to attract production labor in a timely manner; the strength of the U.S. dollar and its impact on Company exports, translation of foreign sales and the cost of purchased materials; the Company’s ability to predict the level and timing of orders for indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contracts with the U.S. federal government; risks related to reductions in government expenditures in light of U.S. defense budget pressures and an uncertain U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) tactical wheeled vehicle strategy; the impact of any DoD solicitation for competition for future contracts to produce military vehicles; the impacts of budget constraints facing the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and continuously changing demands for postal services; the impact of severe weather, natural disasters or pandemics that may affect the Company, its suppliers or its customers; risks related to the collectability of receivables, particularly for those businesses with exposure to construction markets; the cost of any warranty campaigns related to the Company’s products; risks associated with international operations and sales, including compliance with the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act; risks that a trade war and related tariffs could reduce the competitiveness of the Company’s products; the Company’s ability to comply with complex laws and regulations applicable to U.S. government contractors; cybersecurity risks and costs of defending against, mitigating and responding to data security threats and breaches impacting the Company; the Company’s ability to successfully identify, complete and integrate acquisitions and to realize the anticipated benefits associated with the same; and risks related to the Company’s ability to successfully execute on its strategic road map and meet its long-term financial goals. Additional information concerning these and other factors is contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Form 8-K. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release. The Company assumes no obligation, and disclaims any obligation, to update information contained in this news release. Investors should be aware that the Company may not update such information until the Company’s next quarterly earnings conference call, if at all.

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© 2026 Copyright Frontline Communications, A Division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc. an Oshkosh Corporation Business. Oshkosh, the Oshkosh logo, Command Zone, Pierce and the Pierce logo are trademarks and "Perform. Like No Other." is a service mark of Oshkosh Corporation or Pierce Manufacturing Inc.