04/09/2026 | Press release | Archived content
Minneapolis - April 21, 2026 - Polaris Government and Defense, a dedicated division of Polaris, expands its mission-ready line-up of off-road vehicles for first responders with the launch of three new purpose-driven solutions: the high-capacity XD Firefighting Skid, the Rescue-X skid: an enclosed off-road rescue platform, and a next-generation emergency lighting collection. These additions build upon Polaris' decades of experience as the only off-road OEM delivering fully integrated, turnkey fire and rescue solutions designed to help departments reach remote areas and respond to emergencies in rugged terrain with even more capability.
These latest innovations, alongside select vehicles from the trusted and proven fire and rescue lineup, will be highlighted in Booth #3775 alongside QTAC at FDIC International, April 20-25 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Vehicles on display will include:
"Fire and rescue professionals operate in some of the most demanding environments imaginable, and they rely on equipment that rises to meet that challenge," said Shane Novotny, director of engineering for Polaris Government and Defense, and part-time firefighter. "These new products are a result of listening to our customers and reflect our commitment to delivering what they need - not equipment add-ons, but fully integrated, validated solutions that are ready to work. By engineering and validating these platforms in-house, we're able to deliver capabilities that allow teams to respond quicker, carry more water to the scene and perform remote rescue operations more efficiently."
Engineered specifically for the RANGER XD 1500, the all-new XD Firefighting Skid from QTAC delivers a significant increase in water capacity, meeting the demands of rural and wildland firefighting operations. By leveraging the XD 1500's industry-leading payload, the platform can transport 100-gallons of water as a purpose-built system designed to maintain performance in extreme-duty environments. The platform is the only one in its class with enough payload to support this level of water capacity alongside crew and equipment.
Standard features of the skid include:
Together, these features extend active firefighting time and reduce downtime between tank refills - keeping crews engaged longer in areas where water access isn't guaranteed.
The Rescue-X skid expands the off-road rescue category with a first-of-its-kind solution for the Polaris XPEDITION, a vehicle built to take on backcountry response. The skid combines high-performance off-road capability with a triage-friendly, enclosed patient transport environment.
The Polaris XPEDITION ADV features:
Specially designed by QTAC for the Polaris XPEDITION, the new Rescue-X skid turns the Polaris XPEDITION into an enclosed triage-friendly off-road emergency response vehicle. Teams gain a fully integrated rescue area featuring a full-length litter space, attendant seat, O2 bottle holders, locking storage and custom-mounted storage connection points.
Polaris now offers a three-tiered emergency lighting portfolio - Standard, Premium and Ultimate - through industry leaders and Polaris partners Federal Signal and Whelen Engineering, simplifying fleet integration and ensuring consistency across departments. Validated and integrated by Polaris, these packages range from essential body lights to full siren and roof bar systems, allowing departments to maintain lighting and siren consistency across their entire vehicle fleet through a single, turn-key purchase order.
The new lighting packages are available on select RANGER XP 1000 and RANGER XD 1500 models.
Designed to enhance mobility, durability and performance in the most demanding off-road environments, these solutions provide critical response capabilities and extend reach when it matters most. A full list of vehicle accessories and packages can be found at: https://military.polaris.com/en-us/applications/fire-and-rescue/.
About Polaris Government and Defense - Polaris Government and Defense vehicles are forged from 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.
Polaris Government and Defense | Mobility Made Easy
As the global leader in powersports, Polaris Inc. (NYSE: PII) has been defining and redefining outdoor adventure since 1954. Polaris delivers industry-shaping off-road vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, military, quadricycles, and commercial transportation vehicles, along with an expansive portfolio of parts, garments, and accessories. Its lineup includes some of the most iconic brands in powersports including the RANGER, RZR, Polaris XPEDITION, Bennington pontoons, Slingshot, and more. Headquartered in Minnesota and serving customers in nearly 100 countries, Polaris continues to set the standard for performance, quality, and unmatched service. Explore more at https://www.polaris.com.
QTAC® is a trademark of MTECH, Inc.
Federal Signal® is a trademark of Federal Signal Corporation.
Whelen® Engineering is a trademark of Whelen Engineering Company, Inc.
Unless noted, trademarks are the property of Polaris Industries Inc.