See How A First Responder Vehicle Is Customized [VIDEO]
Story By
John McCabe
No other vehicle generates the gamut of emotions like first responder and law enforcement vehicles do - from fear, to excitement, and even national pride. Whether racing down the highway with sirens screaming towards a scene of danger or on the news with SWAT teams emerging - these vehicles have to be prepared for anything. If you're unlucky you'll see one in your own rear-view mirror asking you to pull over. What goes into the creation of an emergency response vehicle and how do they differ from the other cars, trucks and vans on the highways? First responder vehicles come in many shapes and sizes, from specially-modified UTVs to the largest municipal ladder trucks - and they're certainly not born in the factory wearing their livery. Hopefully, you’re now wondering exactly how an emergency response vehicle gets customized. Somebody’s got to outfit them, and that’s where these companies come in - which is why we stopped by to talk to some of the nation’s best customizers and see what they do to make the first responder vehicles, fast, safe and downright sexy. Most EMT, fire and police departments don’t have anyone on staff to take care of making their vehicles safe, legally compliant and conspicuous (or in some cases inconspicuous) with the latest technologies - so they outsource those jobs to specialists. The heroes at your local firehouse, police station and EMT squad turn to companies such as 911 Rapid Response in Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s First Priority and Odyssey Automotive Specialty to get the right gear and the best-equipped trucks to fill their specific needs. Modifications may include anything from the latest grille-mounted LEDs, a 20’ boom light, rifle racks, conspicuity striping, computers and PA equipment. There are specialists around the country ready to help our heroes get to where they’re going… and look good doing it! Any given department has its own special needs for equipment and it largely depends on location. Urban, rural and suburban areas will have different needs for their fire, police, ambulance and other First Responders. Urban areas of higher density (and skyscrapers) such as New York, Boston and Los Angeles are going to have needs that differ from those of hilly cities such as Nashville and San Francisco or Tampa and San Antonio. Rural areas have needs that differ from each other, too. Towns in snowy areas, such as upstate New York and the Dakotas need equipment that can get through their inclement weather - but the towns in hot, dry California and Arizona need fire equipment that can help them fight forest fires. And it’s not just fire, police and ambulance that need to be modified. Water and electric companies, towing and recovery organizations from AAA to the local mom-&-pop tow services all have their particular needs for specialized equipment and graphics.
What would a perfect first responder vehicle be built from and have added onto it in your opinion? Leave a comment below!
