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GulfCoast_BannerThe new disaster response vehicles will support Gulf Coast State College and the surrounding eight counties with advanced communications and technology assets during emergency scenarios.

APPLETON, Wis. (August 3, 2022)Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing Inc., and a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), announced today Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida, has taken delivery of three disaster response vehicles incorporating advanced communication and technology features. Sold through Pierce and Frontline Communications’ dealer, Ten-8 Fire Equipment, the highly customized vehicles include two C-25 Mobile Command Vehicles and one C-33 Mobile Command Center.

GulfCoast_Inset1“When hurricane Michael came through in 2018, it was a category 5 event resulting in extensive damage and communications challenges,” said James Baxley Jr., executive director of radio, TV, and broadcasting with Gulf Coast State College. “We aimed to close communications gaps and do a better job next time, and our new Frontline Communications disaster response vehicles provide us with the most technologically advanced resources to face future events. The vehicles were obtained through the Triumph Grant and maintain an eight-county memorandum of understanding to be put in service where and when needed to support emergency operations.”

Some of the most notable system design and integrated communications attributes of Gulf Coast State College’s new disaster response vehicles include:

  • Cellular and satellite data network
  • Point-to-point transmission system 2+ gigabit per minute
  • Dual HD/thermal PTZ camera
  • Columbia weatherstation
  • HAM radio system with auto-tuning and PC controls
  • Video switching matrix
  • Multiple PCs for data processing
  • 42-foot mast for custom antenna/camera deployment
  • Docking station for TVU cellular backpack encoder
  • Exterior workstation with anti-glare monitor
  • Electric awning
  • UHF, VHF, and HAM radios
The vehicles’ data services on a cellular and satellite backbone are augmented by a mast-based, point-to-point transmission system featuring auto-acquisition and transfer rates of over two gigabit per minute, intended for transfer of live UAV video between trucks.

Other vehicle features include:

Features C-25 C-33
Chassis: Ford F-550 4x4 Acela Monterra 6x6
Cab Seating Capacity: 4 2
GVWR: 19,500 lbs. 44,650 lbs.
Generator: 12kW 20kW
Workstations: 2 9
HVAC: 2 roof-mount 4 roof-mount

GulfCoast_Inset2Baxley added, “With over 40 years of building communications vehicles, we knew Frontline Communications would be able to deliver what we needed. These new vehicles were customized to fit our needs, and we hope even more than the eight counties around us will benefit from their remarkable features when they are faced with water, hurricanes, fire, and other emergencies.”

Gulf Coast State College’s new disaster response vehicles were delivered in late May, and emergency responders have begun extensive training to properly utilize the assets when needed.

“We’ve appreciated having the opportunity to work with Gulf Coast State College developing vehicles which will provide critical disaster response and communications support for such a substantial geographic area in Florida,” said Rob McAtee, fire apparatus sales representative with Ten-8 Fire Equipment. “The customized design of the two C-25 Mobile Command Vehicles and one C-33 Mobile Command Center incorporates some of the most advanced features we’ve built into specialty vehicles to date. Our team, and our partners at Frontline Communications, look forward to providing dedicated support for training, service, and beyond.”

To learn more about Frontline Communications and the latest disaster response vehicles, visit www.frontlinecomm.com.

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Topics: Critical Response Unit



About Frontline Communications
Frontline Communications, a division of Pierce Manufacturing, Inc., a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation (NYSE:OSK), is the leading manufacturer of custom broadcast 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 technologies and integration capabilities 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, mission-critical equipment to help everyday heroes advance communities around the world. Headquartered in Wisconsin, Oshkosh Corporation employs approximately 17,000 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®, Hinowa, Power Towers, Pierce®, MAXIMETAL, Oshkosh® Defense, McNeilus®, IMT®, Jerr-Dan®, Frontline™ Communications, Oshkosh® Airport Products, Oshkosh AeroTech™ 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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