Polaris Creates Firefighting Rangers For Gov't & Defense Division

Polaris has a division of its brand called Polaris Government and Defense, and it concocts exactly the kind of creations you would expect. From military machines to police response rigs, this is the section of the company that helps tailor and outfit the more mass-market vehicles towards specific use cases. For their latest round of upfitting, they created the firefighting-focused XD Firefighting Skid and Rescue-X Skid, plus an array of accessories to help get the job done quickly and safely.

The three new innovations coming out of Polaris are all focused on helping first responders do their job, and do it safely. Co-developed with QTAC, they put together three new developments-- two of them vehicles, one of them lighting-- to make the Ranger models better for the task at hand.

First is the XD Firefighting Skid, based on the Ranger XD 1500 platform. It adds a 100-gallon water tank, drafting kit (for pulling water from a source when the tank is depleted), 9-horsepower Waterax pump, electric hose reel, and the option for a 2.5-gallon foam capacity and Viper nozzle setup. Polaris says the XD 1500 platform is the only one in its class that can support such payload needs, so all in all, this is purpose-built for rural and wildland firefighting in extreme environments.

There's also the Rescue-X Skid, based on the Polaris XPEDITION. Geared towards deep backcountry response, QTEC created an enclosed triage-friendly unit, equipped with full-length litter space, attendant seat, 02 bottle holders, locking storage, and custom-mounted storage connection points.

In addition to the two vehicles, Polaris also cooked up three emergency lighting options: Standard, Premium, and Ultimate (echoing its normal ATV and UTV model lineup naming scheme). From body lights to sires and roof bars, these modular units can be equipped on Ranger XP 1000 and Ranger XD 1500 models for whatever the intended use case is.

“Fire and rescue professionals operate in some of the most demanding environments imaginable, and they rely on equipment that rises to meet that challenge,” said Shane Novotny, director of engineering for Polaris Government and Defense, and part-time firefighter. “These new products are a result of listening to our customers and reflect our commitment to delivering what they need – not equipment add-ons, but fully integrated, validated solutions that are ready to work. By engineering and validating these platforms in-house, we’re able to deliver capabilities that allow teams to respond quicker, carry more water to the scene and perform remote rescue operations more efficiently.”

Cool stuff indeed, and good on Polaris for keeping these projects coming.