PRESS RELEASE
MINNEAPOLIS — As wildfire response and emergency rescue demands grow, ensuring first responders have the right tools at their disposal is more critical than ever. Polaris Government and Defense has supported fire and rescue operations for decades, providing off-road vehicles and job-specific accessories that enhance traditional apparatus fleets – helping departments increase mobility and reduce response times in remote areas and during disaster response. Expanding its portfolio of purpose-built solutions, Polaris introduces two new QTAC firefighting skids from MTECH, Inc.: the 9HP Fire & Rescue and Ultra High Pressure (UHP) Firefighting Skids, validated for RANGER XD 1500, RANGER XP 1000 and RANGER XP Kinetic.
“It is imperative that fire and emergency teams respond with confidence, and that means having the right equipment to get the job done efficiently and effectively,” said Tony Stanley, business development, Polaris Government and Defense. “Polaris continues to drive innovation in emergency response mobility. The introduction of our new firefighting skids, alongside our proven lineup of fire and rescue UTVs and turn-key packages, furthers our commitment to equipping first responders with high-performance, mission-ready solutions.”
With new legislation proposing increased funding and resources – including response time standards – highly mobile, rapidly deployable emergency vehicles are essential. Polaris fire and rescue UTVs are designed to meet this need, improving response time and extending reach without compromising mobility, budget or effectiveness. When equipped with fully validated QTAC skids, these vehicles offer integrated water transport, pump and hose systems and patient transport solutions.
New QTAC Fire & Rescue Skid Offerings for RANGER Vehicles
The QTAC 75UHP Firefighting Skid delivers powerful fire suppression in a compact, cost-effective package, utilizing ultra-high-pressure (UHP) pump technology originally developed by the U.S. Air Force. With a flow rate of 6.7 GPM at 1,200 psi, it maximizes efficiency, providing 11 minutes of continuous firefighting on a single 75-gallon tank. Built from impact-resistant, non-corrosive copolymer, it features a 2.5-gallon foam cell, an electric UHP technology offers key advantages over traditional centrifugal systems, including smaller water droplets that convert to steam faster for efficient heat transfer, reduced water consumption to minimize damage and enhanced foam penetration to cut off the fire’s fuel source and prevent re-ignition.
The QTAC 9HP Fire and Rescue Skid is a UTV EMS firefighting system featuring a unique, flip-down rescue litter platform. This convertible design maintains a compact footprint while utilizing a 60-gallon welded-copolymer tank. When secured in the down position, the platform accommodates a full-size rescue litter and when folded, it remains compact enough to allow the tailgate of a standard short-bed UTV to close. Equipped with a 9HP pump with a standard electric start, the skid ensures reliable water delivery and the capability to draft from an auxiliary water source.
Manufactured by MTECH, Inc., QTAC fire and rescue skids are specially integrated on Polaris RANGER utility vehicles, with a purposely designed mounting system from Polaris – allowing for easy install and removal of the skid with no drilling or modifying of the UTV. QTAC skids are built with PolyTough® construction, a lightweight ultra durable material that withstands extreme temperatures for the highest level of performance for years to come. The 75UHP Firefighting Skid and the 9HP Fire and Rescue Skid are available on RANGER XD 1500, RANGER XP 1000 and RANGER XP Kinetic UTVs.
New QTAC Fire & Rescue Skid Offerings for RANGER Vehicles
The company’s lineup of validated Fire and Rescue vehicle packages complete with QTAC Fire and Rescue skids, including the QTAC Firefighting skid, the QTAC Fire & Rescue Skid and the QTAC Rescue Skid will be on display at FDIC International in Polaris booth #3265, April 10-12 in Indianapolis.
- The QTAC Firefighting Skid is capable of drafting, applying retardants and small-scale fire suppression. It is ideal for use cases such as small to large scale prescribed burn control, grass and prairie burns and incident mop-up. The firefighting skid features additional options, including a 2.5-gallon foam capacity, a draft hose kit, an electric hose reel option, a viper nozzle and a 9-horsepower version with electric start.
- The Fire & Rescue Skid includes a unique, convertible rescue litter platform that allows for the tailgate to be closed on the UTV when not in use. This skid is ideal for the same use cases as the firefighting skid with the addition of remote rescue and public event safety. The Fire & Rescue Skid can also be equipped with optional 2.5-gallon foam capacity, a draft hose kit, electric hose reel option and a viper nozzle. Options also include a 6-horsepower and 9-horsepower version.
- The QTAC Rescue Skid has a full-size rescue area, sliding storage and an attendant seat, with optional IV pole and O2 bottle mounts available. The skid is ideal for remote rescue operations and public event safety.
QTAC fire skid options feature water capacities between 60 and 85 gallons and Waterax Versax 6 or 9-horsepower pumps for maximum capacity and reliability. Each skid configuration can be mounted to RANGER XP 1000, RANGER XD 1500 and RANGER XP Kinetic vehicles.
Built to help responders navigate areas inaccessible to traditional vehicles, this year’s FDIC lineup includes the RANGER CREW XD 1500 NorthStar, RANGER CREW XP 1000 and RANGER XP 1000 NorthStar Standard. Each vehicle will be specifically outfitted for fire and rescue operations.
Polaris Fire and Rescue UTVs
Polaris firefighting UTVs incorporate a professional system that is familiar, and fire skid packages incorporate a capable pump, hose and reel, tanks for water and foam and the ability to draft from an external water source. Rescue vehicles incorporate a rear attendant seat is also available, which includes the fire tank and equipment option for the rear equipment skids to be removed all together for additional applications or use by other departments. Custom graphics and body panels can be added so vehicles match the rest of the fleet. And these UTVs are compatible with traditional Polaris accessories options.