We know many of our customers are constantly aware of the potential threat extreme weather poses to their communities, whether it be flooding and tornadoes to hurricanes and wildfires. In these emergencies, speed and capability are paramount for your fleet of response vehicles. So, how do you manage these competing priorities?

On-road vehicles tend to provide first responders with capacity for larger numbers of personnel, ample storage and transportation of equipment and supplies, not to mention operating at highway speeds. But once on site, are all those features still important?  

When a road is blocked, damaged or destroyed, does your fleet have a vehicle that can deliver personnel, equipment and supplies? Are you able to safely cross more than a few inches of flood water? How many personnel are required to deploy as a unit?

These are all questions our teams regularly discuss with our public safety customers and ultimately, there is no one size fits all solution.  

In areas where human development interfaces closely with wildland areas and flammable vegetation, effective response to wildland urban interface (WUI) fires demands specialized vehicles capable of navigating both on and off-road terrain. Based in Montana, we understand the critical role of WUI fire departments, and the essential tools required for rapid and safe deployment to fires.  

The Monterra, designed as an on-/off-road vehicle, excels in maneuvering through neighborhood roads, unimproved paths, and challenging off-road environments typical of WUI settings. As a purpose-built WUI truck, the Monterra provides exceptional agility, enabling firefighting crews to access previously inaccessible areas with manpower and equipment swiftly and efficiently.

The Monterra addresses both on- and off-road challenges associated with emergency response. The Monterra has a maximum speed of 68 MPH with optional high-speed gearing but also can efficiently maneuver through sand using CTIS technology or up to 50” of water with our high-water fording kit.

One standout example of the Monterra’s versatility is Seminole County Fire Department’s new Multi-Purpose Monterra, which operates as both a flood rescue vehicle and a wildfire response truck with a slip-in tank unit. Seminole County recognized that speed to response and agility on-site are as important in hurricane rescue as in wildland fire response. Many states face similar scenarios, with flooding and fire occurring in the same area, sometimes in the same season. Is your organization prepared to respond efficiently and effectively?

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