What is a high-water response vehicle or high-profile vehicle?

A high-water response vehicle is designed to handle emergencies involving inclement water, such as flooding. These units are essential for first responders in areas prone to flooding, providing a safe and efficient means of transporting people and equipment during high-water events. These vehicles possess high-clearance features which are preferred and used by first responders to navigate and conduct rescues in the flooded areas.

Evacuations in rural areas during a significant flood event can prove to be more than difficult. Evacuating a subdivision is one thing but, imagine evacuating an entire area with a sizable population is something else. The challenges can quickly overwhelm local first responders.

 Standard fire apparatus can prove to be less than adequate for operations in high-water (depths of more than 12 to 18 inches). Components like air intakes and electrical control systems do not function well or at all when submerged. Roads turn into rivers, and underpasses can be completely submerged, making travel impracticable, if not impossible, for emergency vehicles.

Therefore, many entities have introduced high-water rescue vehicles (HWRVs) also known as, high profile vehicles (HPVs) that help improve victim evacuations during flooding and allowing first responders to safely reach stranded individuals for rescue, transport, and medical aid when normal vehicles cannot.  These vehicles have large tires, high ground clearance, and intake and electrical systems that are more robust than standard vehicles.

The Indian River Volunteer Fire Company has such a unit which is a 1986 5-ton military surplus vehicle - https://irvfc.com/apparatus/detail/22937 - and will be utilized for periods of inclement weather within the fire district and surrounding mutual aid areas. It is intended to go through salt water and high tides in order to help extricate or evacuate our citizens.

This unit is powered by a diesel engine and was retrofitted to include emergency lighting, scene lighting, occupant lighting, rear deck platform, seating and access ladders for the enclosed back areas. This unit designation is 80-14.

Over the most recent nor’easter event, this unit was utilized eight (8) missions for medical emergencies, water rescue, and a public assist endeavor.

Illustrated herewith is a synopsis of these events:

https://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/54711

https://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/54706?ss=1

https://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/54701

https://irvfc.com/gallery/detail/54700?ss=1

Other inclement weather related articles within the Indian River Fire District:

WRDE News - https://www.coasttv.com/news/flooding-from-noreaster-traps-those-who-live-on-river-road/article_2e8bc59e-769d-45ef-822f-3654c5636209.html