Ford and NASAR launch Answer the Call with Bronco Badlands for search and rescue
Ford and NASAR launch Answer the Call, donating five Bronco Badlands with Sasquatch to search-and-rescue units, equipped for drones, winches, satellite comms.
Ford, together with the National Association for Search and Rescue, is launching the Answer the Call program and will hand over five specially prepared Bronco SUVs to search-and-rescue units. The effort is aimed at supporting teams that operate in remote, hard-to-reach areas.
Two vehicles are already earmarked for specific recipients: Kern County Fire & Rescue in California and Teton County Search & Rescue in Wyoming. The remaining three teams will be chosen through a nationwide application process.
Ford notes these are not base models: rescuers will receive Bronco Badlands with the Sasquatch package. The vehicles will then be outfitted for field work. The upgrade list includes satellite communications for constant contact, recovery winches, and expanded exterior lighting. The SUVs will also gain integrated tools for drone operations, enabling real-time aerial reconnaissance. Choosing the Badlands with Sasquatch looks like a practical call for rugged terrain.
The program was initiated by Ford CEO Jim Farley. The idea took shape after a trip to Utah, where he saw Grand County Search & Rescue using their own Bronco over challenging terrain—real-world experience that clearly helped set the direction.
Applications are being accepted via NASAR.org, with submissions open until April 30. Efforts like this highlight that SUVs aren’t just showroom pieces; in the right spec, they’re tools built for demanding, real-world duty.