First responders have to get to an emergency fast, no matter where it is. That’s why side-by-sides are ideal rescue vehicles.
If you’re a firefighter, getting your firetruck in place and getting hooked up to water eats into the precious time that could be spent rescuing victims. And a UTV going in first could save someone’s life.
Police and EMTs often have to navigate through tighter areas unsuitable for full-size squad cars or ambulances. A UTV is the perfect solution in those instances. They can get to the victim quickly to assess injury and move them to safety if necessary.
Except, your bone-stock side-by-side isn’t a great rescue machine. But it just needs some upgrades.
So here are 5 first responder accessories every fire fighting, EMS, and police UTV needs.
A rescue skid is the only practical way to move a victim with a UTV.
A good rescue skid needs a seat for an EMT and a solid spot to mount a stretcher. Most come with some storage too.
There are plenty of skids to choose from on the market, and we don’t endorse any in particular. Check out this list, do your research, and get the one that works for you:
Getting your bearings in an unfamiliar environment is vital to an effective response. That’s why adding lights to your first responder UTV is so important. And you don’t have to settle for just OEM headlights and a roof-mounted light bar either.
With cube lights and smaller side- and rear-mounted light bars, you can light up a whole area.
Plus, a turn signal kit will make navigating roads easier when you’re not blaring your sirens.
Here are the lights to check out:
Firefighting UTVs are perfect for getting off-road to tackle brushfires and wildfires. But just because they’re more capable off-road doesn’t mean they’re unstoppable. The last thing you want is to get hung up or bogged down when you’re trying to stop a firestorm.
That’s where a lift kit with some upgraded tires comes in.
A few extra inches of ground clearance lets you roll over uneven terrain more easily, and bigger tires keep you from losing traction on tough obstacles, as long as you have the power to turn them.
They’re also perfect for officers who never know exactly what kind of terrain they’ll have to get over next.
Here are the categories to consider:
Good communication is vital to every first responder, and you can’t rely on cell phones everywhere you go. If you’re not equipped with radios, you need a vehicle-to-vehicle solution.
There are a couple ways to get onboard radio: dash-mounted solutions like the offerings from Rugged Radios or helmet-mounted solutions like the Cardo PACKTALK Intercoms that we carry. Neither relies on any external infrastructure to function—firefighters can count on them in remote woods and EMTs can use them in rural areas.
Here’s what you need:
Emergencies don’t stop just because it’s cold out, but helping people during a deep freeze doesn’t have to cost you your fingertips.
Invest in a cab enclosure and heater for your EMS UTV to ensure you don’t become a casualty yourself.
They’ll keep you warm in winter and protect you from the elements the rest of the year.
Here’s what you need:
A UTV can be the perfect asset for your team, but only if you know what it’s capable of and what accessories you need to make it do more.
Whether your UTV is for firefighting, policing, or medical rescue, or something else, outfitting it with the right gear can make your crew more effective.
