Polaris DAGOR Vehicle Delivers Extreme Off-Road and Air Transportable Firefighting Power for US Air Force
The DAGOR vehicle, an off-road and air transportable tactical mobility platform from Polaris Government and Defense, is redefining expeditionary firefighting. With a request from the U.S. Air Force (USAF), ADS partnered with Ward Apparatus to create the Ward Mobile Airfield Rescue Kit (Ward MARK-1), using the Polaris DAGOR, to deliver a first-of-its-kind off-road firefighting vehicle. These trusted names in innovative emergency response vehicle manufacturing have pioneered a compact, rugged and versatile military-grade firetruck that is C-130 internally transportable and sling loadable for rapid deployment anywhere in the world. The USAF needed a rugged, off-road fire truck that could function in extreme temperatures, navigate through rough terrain, carry all necessary firefighting equipment – and be easily loaded and transported via a C-130 or sling loaded beneath a helicopter. The Polaris family of light tactical vehicles, including DAGOR, already support operations across the U.S. and our allies, meeting off-road mobility, durability and air transportability requirements. Working directly with USAF, Ward Apparatus and ADS transformed the Polaris DAGOR vehicle into a firefighting apparatus for the most demanding environments.
“This has been an incredible process working with our team at Ward, the U.S. Air Force, Polaris, ADS and all the individual suppliers to develop this very unique custom solution. It is an honor to be recognized as an innovative leader within the fire industry and to be involved in helping keep our U.S. Air Force safe and providing them with this equipment,” said Scott Beecher, owner and CEO of Ward Apparatus.
Designed for pilot rescue and contingency location team support, the Ward MARK-1 boasts capabilities specific for Air Force fire and rescue missions. This includes all essential pilot egress tools, a water capacity of 150 gallons, providing ample suppression capability for vast fire scenarios, a 95-gallons per minute pump to support efficient water supply and is equipped with a high and low-flow bumper turret for added versatility. The vehicle includes hoses and a sump pump for drafting from water sources, plus a large diameter hose for refilling or connecting to hydrants. Designed to carry up to three operators, the vehicle also includes a litter basket for secure and efficient patient transport – all while retaining the rugged durability and capabilities DAGOR is known for. In just 24 months, the Ward MARK-1 went from concept to completion. Production continues and fielding has begun, with the U.S. Air Force positioning them at remote airfields around the world in support of off-road fire and rescue missions.
Based in Chemung County, New York—once known as the fire manufacturing capital of the United States—Ward Apparatus, LLC proudly carries on a legacy of fire rescue and specialty vehicle manufacturing in the region. With decades of industry experience and modern manufacturing capabilities, we’re committed to producing top-tier emergency vehicles tailored to the needs of today’s fire service and public safety professionals. Ward Apparatus is part of a family of companies that has supported the fire industry for over 40 years, including Ward Diesel Filter Systems, Ward Fire Equipment, EL Manufacturing, Beecher Manufacturing Services (BMS), and BOSS Security & Automation. Our capabilities include building custom apparatus such as, Light Duty Rescues, Heavy Rescues, Crane Rescues Urban Rescue Quick Attack vehicles, Mini-Pumpers, Wildland fire response trucks, communication vehicles, CBRN units and more. We also design and build rugged, purpose-built UTVs for fire departments and law enforcement agencies—complete with custom skid units engineered to fit each vehicle’s exact specifications. At Ward Apparatus, customer satisfaction is more than a promise—it’s our standard. From rapid production timelines to responsive service, we work closely with every customer to deliver exactly what they need. Our vehicles are built tough, featuring fully welded, all-aluminum bodies and enclosed cage designs for lighter weight and long-lasting durability.
Polaris designs and manufactures the most capable light tactical and all-terrain military vehicles available. The company’s expertise in light off-road mobility has produced the MV850, MRZR D, MRZR Alpha and DAGOR. Polaris vehicles support more than 60 military forces worldwide, which is a testament to the capability gap these vehicles fulfill. These platforms provide unmatched off-road capability, intuitive operation, streamlined maintenance, air transportability and are supported globally by the worldwide presence of Polaris dealers and distributors. Polaris Government and Defense vehicles are forged from more than 70 years of off-road innovation and leadership. The commercial prowess and innovative culture of Polaris are leveraged to deliver unique value to government entities and military forces worldwide. This dedicated division provides highly capable, simple to use, and affordable mobility platforms and vehicles that are readily available through easy procurement channels and supported through lifecycle training, service and maintenance from Polaris – the original equipment manufacturer.
Operating Worldwide for over 28 years, ADS is the leading provider of operational equipment to the U.S. Department of Defense, Federal Agencies, and First Responders. Our purpose is to deliver the best equipment and technology to the men and women who are protecting our freedom.
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) pioneers product breakthroughs and enriching experiences and services that have invited people to discover the joy of being outdoors since our founding in 1954. Polaris’ high-quality product line-up includes the RANGER, RZR and Polaris XPEDITION and GENERAL side-by-side off-road vehicles; Sportsman all-terrain off-road vehicles; military and commercial off-road vehicles; snowmobiles; Indian Motorcycle mid-size and heavyweight motorcycles; Slingshot moto-roadsters; Aixam quadricycles; Goupil electric vehicles; and pontoon and deck boats, including industry-leading Bennington pontoons. Polaris enhances the riding experience with a robust portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Headquartered in Minnesota, Polaris serves nearly 100 countries across the globe. www.polaris.com
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