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How Ford Is Putting Bronco Capability in the Hands of More Search-and-Rescue Heroes

January 13, 2026

By Dale Rivers, head of Ford Enthusiast Brands


In the backcountry, the difference between a rescue and a recovery is often measured in minutes — and the capability of the machine underneath you.

This past summer in Utah, our President and CEO Jim Farley saw firsthand how Sheriff Jamison Wiggins of the Grand County Search and Rescue and his team utilized a Ford Bronco to navigate treacherous topography to save lives.

Ford Bronco Ford "Answer the Call" Program donating fully upfitted Broncos to search-and-rescue organizations Screenshot 2026-01-13 at 1.59.07 PM



It was a reminder of why we at Ford engineer vehicles to meet rigorous demands, including those of search-and-rescue organizations. When lives are on the line, these heroes need vehicles that have been tested to the extremes so they can perform in the extremes.

When Jim got back from Utah and shared that story, it sparked a conversation back in Dearborn: "How do we get Bronco capability to even more search-and-rescue teams?"

The answer is a new collaboration between the Bronco Wild Fund and the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). We’re calling it Bronco “Answer the Call,” and it is our way of getting the right tools — fully upfitted Bronco SUVs — into the hands of the people who do the most with the least. We are beginning a nationwide search to donate three Broncos to deserving search-and-rescue organizations across the country.





These three new donations are part of a larger commitment from Ford and the Bronco Wild Fund to provide a total of five specialized vehicles to search-and-rescue teams in 2026. We’ve already confirmed donations for Kern County Fire & Rescue in California and Teton County Search & Rescue in Wyoming, and now we are opening the call to find the final three recipients.

“A capable vehicle doesn't just get you to the scene; it brings the lost home safe. For under-resourced volunteer units, a donation like this isn't just a new vehicle — it’s a lifeline.” - NASAR President Mikki Hastings
The vehicles we’re donating are Bronco Badlands models equipped with the Sasquatch Package, purpose-built for the most unforgiving terrain. To ensure they are mission-ready, we’re partnering with Darley to upfit them with specialized gear, including Starlink Satellite Connectivity for remote communication, drone technology for aerial reconnaissance in tough-to-reach areas, and advanced winches and recovery gear.


Ford Bronco Ford "Answer the Call" Program donating fully upfitted Broncos to search-and-rescue organizations Ford_Bronco_Search_Rescue_Still_201_1920x1080



For most of us, off-road means a weekend escape. For the volunteers at NASAR, it’s an office — one where they often use their own personal gear and vehicles to save others.

Starting today through April 30, 2026, search-and-rescue organizations can visit NASAR.org to apply for the Bronco Answer the Call grant program. We’re looking for teams operating in the most diverse and extreme environments where the Bronco’s capability can make a tangible difference in mission outcomes.


Ford Bronco Ford "Answer the Call" Program donating fully upfitted Broncos to search-and-rescue organizations Ford_Bronco_Search_Rescue_Still_202_1920x1080



In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more about these incredible teams and how they trust Ford Bronco to support their operations through our Ready Set Ford campaign, highlighting exactly what human capability looks like when it’s put to the ultimate test.


Ford Bronco Ford "Answer the Call" Program donating fully upfitted Broncos to search-and-rescue organizations Ford_Bronco_Search_Rescue_Still_203_1920x1080


Ford Bronco Ford "Answer the Call" Program donating fully upfitted Broncos to search-and-rescue organizations Ford_Bronco_Search_Rescue_Still_204_1920x1080
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Oldhippie

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While I want to applaud the idea, these are not hard core search and rescue vehicles…more PR than anything
 

23OBX2.7

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Should donate helicopters
 

Mikerider

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Really excited about this program, I have been a member with our local Search and Rescue team for 20 years now and its a constant struggle to fundraise for vehicles to get the job done. The newest Vehicle in our fleet is a 2008 with 156k miles on it.
 

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Chrome_Pony

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While I want to applaud the idea, these are not hard core search and rescue vehicles…more PR than anything
SAR missions do not recover vehicles or transport patients typically, so "hard core" vehicle mods outside of auxiliary power, lighting and storage aren't needed. What many SAR units DO need are affordable fleet vehicles for search personnel transport and movement for which these might serve. So it's both PR and helpful to volunteer SAR for more grants that support that.

Source: Type III-certified Incident Management Team member for a volunteer professional Alaska SAR unit for the past decade and a half.
 

Oldhippie

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SAR missions do not recover vehicles or transport patients typically, so "hard core" vehicle mods outside of auxiliary power, lighting and storage aren't needed. What many SAR units DO need are affordable fleet vehicles for search personnel transport and movement for which these might serve. So it's both PR and helpful to volunteer SAR for more grants that support that.

Source: Type III-certified Incident Management Team member for a volunteer professional Alaska SAR unit for the past decade and a half.
I guess terrain matters…thanks for the work you do?
 

KABQ

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Ford: fully upfitted Bronco SUV
Ford Bronco Ford "Answer the Call" Program donating fully upfitted Broncos to search-and-rescue organizations 773139-ec24b0aef480c453c052a9ce427b29dd


@5GENIDN : hold my beer
Ford Bronco Ford "Answer the Call" Program donating fully upfitted Broncos to search-and-rescue organizations 628261-e9f53c35257ed07d40ab032069f8a202
 

5GENIDN

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Ford: fully upfitted Bronco SUV
773139-ec24b0aef480c453c052a9ce427b29dd.webp


@5GENIDN : hold my beer
628261-e9f53c35257ed07d40ab032069f8a202.webp
I live in Idaho... We are all part of the search and rescue team... LOL... Even have handheld search lights just for the purpose (high lumen spot lights that plug in).
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