Ford Donates Five Bronco SUVs to Search and Rescue Teams
Rapid response in an emergency often determines people’s fate, especially in hard-to-reach areas with difficult terrain. Ford CEO Jim Farley experienced this importance firsthand last summer when he visited a search and rescue team in Grand County, Utah. He saw how they used a Bronco for operations in the Moab area, which became the starting point for a new initiative by the automaker.
As a result of this collaboration, the Bronco Wild Fund, together with the National Search and Rescue Association, launched the ‘Answer the Call’ program. Under this program, the company will provide five specially prepared Bronco SUVs to search and rescue teams across the country.
Technical Features of the Rescue Broncos
The vehicles will be based on the Bronco Badlands trim with the Sasquatch equipment package. This package includes electronic locking differentials on both axles, an advanced four-wheel-drive system, and increased suspension clearance with Bilstein shocks. The package also features extended wheel arches and 17-inch wheels with 35-inch off-road tires.
Additional equipment for rescue operations will be installed by the company Darley. Each vehicle will receive:
Program Participation Conditions
Non-profit organizations with 501(c)(3) status can apply to receive a vehicle through a special online form. The application period lasts until February 28th. The application must be accompanied by a number of documents, including the organization’s financial reports and a recommendation letter from local law enforcement agencies. Selected program participants will receive their vehicles by the end of this year.
Ford noted that when selecting winners, special attention will be paid to teams operating in the most diverse and extreme conditions, where the Bronco’s capabilities can significantly impact mission outcomes. This indicates that the company is looking for teams that can maximize the vehicle’s off-road potential.
Expansion of the Support Program
This project is a continuation of Ford’s efforts to support emergency services. Previously, the company had already announced plans to donate Bronco vehicles to the Kern County Fire Department in California and the Teton County Search and Rescue team in Wyoming. Furthermore, in 2023, Ford donated a command vehicle for firefighters at the Bandelier National Monument in New Mexico.
Ford’s initiative demonstrates how industrial companies can contribute to improving safety in hard-to-reach regions. Specially equipped off-road vehicles not only increase rescuers’ mobility but also provide them with modern technologies, such as drones and satellite communications. This could serve as an example for other automakers who also have powerful off-road vehicles in their lineups. Such programs are particularly relevant given the growing popularity of outdoor recreation, as more people find themselves in hard-to-reach places where traditional rescue means are often ineffective.