All the Details: Bronco Wildland Firefighting Command Rig

images: Ford

Ford Motor Company and the Bronco Wild Fund are donating a 4-door Sasquatch Bronco Badlands to the National Park Service for use in Bandelier National Monument, where it will operate as a firefighting command vehicle.

The 33,000-acre Bandelier National Monument is in northern New Mexico, about a two-hour drive north of Albuquerque and is composed of rugged canyons and mesas that contain petroglyphs, cliffs dwellings and evidence of human presence going back over 11,000 years. Bandelier’s position in the transition zone of the high desert of the American Southwest provides a unique environment where the rapid effects of climate change have been observed and studied. The park has a history of natural fire occurrences, and as the fire season grows longer, the park is experiencing more repeated fires in the same landscape.  Two-thirds of Bandelier is designated wilderness, meaning it lacks infrastructure and is difficult to access. The Bronco wildland firefighting command rig will enhance Bandelier's fire fleet, expanding their current capabilities.

“I want to thank Ford for this generous donation,” said Patrick Suddath, Superintendent of Bandelier National Monument. “Over the last 20 years, warmer temperatures and stronger winds have resulted in bigger fires that are harder to predict and manage. These more resource-intensive fires have a real impact on Bandelier's firefighting corps, and this donation will help us manage fires better. It will also help to minimize impact to the park’s affiliated tribes, who have traditionally used park land for cultural, economic, and spiritual reasons.

This Bronco is the first of two that are being developed by Darley –– manufacturer and distributor of defense, fire and rescue vehicles –– for donation to the National Park Services and a wildland firefighting agency that will be the subject of a future announcement. The intent of this pilot program is to develop a tool that addresses an unmet need by allowing a deeper command position with reliable and redundant connectivity as well as facilitate the acquisition and sharing of valuable information to aid firefighters. 

The Build Sheet

The vehicle is upfit with an array of equipment to help the park monitor and manage active fires, assist with identifying fires, deliver real-time updates on fire location and severity, and provide other firefighting support. 

To achieve these objectives, the rig is equipped with a state-of-the-art government communication system, including satellite and antenna connections, to provide reliability and redundancy in the most remote environments. The integrated technology will allow firefighters to establish a real-time backcountry command and control position with the crews during emergency operations. The vehicle also includes a drone with live feed screens on the vehicle, tablet computer and special software providing the first response team with improved aerial reconnaissance, detection capabilities and improved situational awareness. These high-tech, effective solutions allow for safer operations when responding to wildland fires as well as when responding to other domestic disaster situations. 

Other specialized hardware includes a grille guard, a factory-installed Warn winch, a set of beadlock wheels, and a roof rack fitted with a light bar, search and emergency lights and siren. 

The Bronco will be officially provided to the National Park Service at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Bandelier National Monument today.

What Others Are Saying

The Drive: Ford Donates Custom Bronco Wildfire Command Rig To National Park Service

Carscoops: Ford’s Bronco Wildland Firefighting Command Vehicle Is Hot Stuff

Ford Authority: 2023 Ford Bronco Wildland Firefighting Command Rig Debuts

Jalopnik: Ford Made A Bronco For Fighting Wildfires

Motor1: Ford Builds Firefighting Bronco, Donates It To National Park In New Mexico

Detroit Free Press: Transformed Ford Bronco Is Unlike Any Other — And Could Be Game-Changer For Firefighters

SlashGear: This Red-Hot Custom Bronco Is Ford's Blueprint For National Park Fire Safety

GearJunkie: ‘Four-Door Mountain Goat’: Ford Donates Firefighting Bronco to Protect Indigenous History

Autoevolution: Cool-Looking Ford Bronco Badlands Sasquatch Is Now a Special Wildfire Command Rig

Interested In More Firefighting Broncos? 

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Head to the Bronco forums to talk about what you like about the Wildland Command Rig and these other Broncos designed to help first responders take on emergencies.