Ford introduces Bronco Answer the Call for rescue teams

Ford says the Bronco Answer the Call program will donate Bronco SUVs to U.S. search-and-rescue teams, widening access to vehicle capability. Read details.

Ford has launched the Bronco Answer the Call program, an initiative designed to support search-and-rescue organizations operating with limited resources and in demanding terrain. As part of the program, three fully upfitted Ford Bronco SUVs will be donated to search-and-rescue teams across the United States.

The idea for the program emerged after Ford President and CEO Jim Farley witnessed firsthand how a Ford Bronco was used by Grand County Search and Rescue in Utah to navigate difficult landscapes during life-saving missions. That experience prompted internal discussions at Ford about how to extend Bronco capability to more rescue teams nationwide.

The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the Bronco Wild Fund and the National Association for Search and Rescue (NASAR). The focus is on under-resourced volunteer units that often rely on personal vehicles and equipment while responding to emergencies in remote environments.

The donated vehicles are Ford Bronco Badlands models equipped with the Sasquatch Package, designed for extreme off-road conditions. To make the SUVs mission-ready, Ford is working with Darley to install specialized equipment, including Starlink satellite connectivity for remote communications, drone technology for aerial reconnaissance, and advanced winches and recovery gear.

Two recipients have already been confirmed. One vehicle will go to Kern County Fire & Rescue in California, while another will be assigned to Teton County Search & Rescue in Wyoming. The Wyoming-based team operates under the Teton County Sheriff’s Office and consists of 43 volunteers who collectively dedicate around 10,000 hours each year to rescue missions, training, and public outreach.

Applications are now open to identify the final three recipients. Search-and-rescue organizations can apply through NASAR until April 30, 2026. Ford says it is looking for teams working in diverse and extreme environments where vehicle capability can directly influence rescue outcomes.

According to NASAR, access to a capable vehicle can be decisive. For volunteer teams, a donated Bronco represents more than new equipment—it provides a critical tool that can shorten response times and expand operational reach.

The Answer the Call initiative is part of a broader commitment by Ford and the Bronco Wild Fund to supply a total of five specialized vehicles to search-and-rescue organizations in 2026. The program highlights how off-road technology developed for consumers is increasingly being applied to real-world emergency response, where reliability and performance can directly affect lives.