Flooding is on the rise across the United States. Gone are the days of the “1-in-100-year" flood events as an increase in intense rainfall and hurricanes bring more precipitation inland (CNN).  

Emergencies don’t stop just because the roads are no longer accessible due to flood waters. If anything, citizens require more assistance from emergency response professionals during flooding. Despite the heightened need for emergency assistance during floods, fire departments and disaster management officials lack the proper apparatuses to safely and efficiently respond to calls.  

Most traditional fire apparatuses—engines, ladders, command vehicles, tillers, and more—are not properly equipped to drive through more than a few inches of water without causing severe damage to the vehicle. Many of the warranties for traditional fire apparatuses are void when vehicle damage is caused by floodwaters. There is also a significant lack of training and information on navigating flood waters with traditional apparatuses as discussed in David Wade’s Driving Apparatus on Flooded Roadways Safely and Effectively.  

Departments looking to add trucks capable of navigating floodwaters to their fleets began using Stewart & Stevenson Light to Medium Tactical Vehicles (LMTVs), which were able to ford up to 30 inches of water for up to 15 minutes. Although the LMTV has more high-water fording capabilities than a traditional fire apparatus, the retired military trucks were still quite limited and maintenance intensive. Vent plugs have to be manually installed and uninstalled before and after fording by crawling under the truck. As many as 9 gear boxes have to be thoroughly examined after water fording as well.

During an emergency, the time taken to manually fit the vent plugs and examine the gear boxes significantly slows down response time. There are also other unknown factors exclusive to each LMTV that we explore in Transforming LMTVs: Acela's Certified Reset for Superior Performance that could cause further damage.  

Acela Truck Company was already remanufacturing the Stewart & Stevenson LMTVs for improved performance and reliability when company President David Ronsen realized the need for a safer, more efficient, and ultra durable high water rescue truck. Thus, the Monterra High Water/Flood Rescue Truck (HWFRT) was created.  

The Monterra HWFRT’s high water fording kit is rated for up to 50 inches of flood water and can be quickly activated with the flip of a switch. That switch activates Monterra’s safety protocols, including the shutdown of engine fans, transmission cooler fans, conditioner condenser fans, and the closure of the drain valve in the transmission bell housing.  

With the high-water fording kit installed in the Monterra HWFRT, there’s no need for manual intervention during operations.

The Monterra HWFRT brings more to the table than just seamless high water fording capability. The Monterra’s flood rescue body can transport up to 25 passengers at once and is equipped with a liftgate that’s rated for up to 3000lbs. The liftgate is useful for easily loading and unloading supplies as well as loading passengers with disabilities. When not rescuing passengers, the flood rescue body is great for transporting and launching boats in between flooded areas.  

The introduction of the Monterra High Water/Flood Rescue Truck (HWFRT) represents a significant advancement in flood rescue operations. Unlike the older Stewart & Stevenson LMTVs, which require labor-intensive maintenance and slow operational procedures, the Monterra HWFRT offers enhanced efficiency and reliability with its  high-water fording system and improved safety features. Its ability to quickly navigate floodwaters up to 50 inches, coupled with its ability to transport large groups and supplies, makes it a versatile and powerful tool for first responders. The Monterra HWFRT’s streamlined design, reduced maintenance needs, and superior performance set a new standard for flood rescue vehicles, ensuring faster, safer, and more effective responses during flood emergencies.

Acela Truck Company’s revolutionary Monterra High Water/Flood Rescue Truck opens a realm of possibilities for rescue and recovery vehicles.

‍