In Arizona, Coconino County's Sheriff's Office is stepping up its search and rescue game with the acquisition of a new Sherp ATV, an amphibious all-terrain vehicle designed to navigate some of the most challenging environments imaginable. Reported by FOX 10 Phoenix, the Sherp is capable of floating on water, crawling through deep mud, and powering over snow and ice thanks to its massive, air-filled tires.
The county, which manages a vast expanse of treacherous terrain, sees the Sherp's utility in environments where traditional rescue vehicles might falter. Deputy Sam Lehman from the Sheriff's Office highlighted the vehicle's robust capabilities, saying, "You can put this thing in six-to-eight-feet of mud and it's gonna crawl right through it." Lehman's insights were obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix during a showcase of the versatile vehicle.
The funding for this beast of a machine, which boasts a cost of $203,000, came from a state grant totaling $525,000 awarded to Coconino County for strengthening their search and rescue initiatives. KTAR reported that the grant also covered a new mobile incident command trailer, satellite communications, drones, and technical rescue gear.
Coconino County's Search and Rescue Unit, whose jurisdiction includes Flagstaff, is tasked with a considerable number of missions each year, with roughly 90% on remote federally operated public land. The investment in the Sherp is expected to bolster their capacity to save lives in areas unreachable by other means. "I think when you start getting into those counties where the search and rescue falls on their shoulders, where you have swamps, gnarly winters, this thing is gonna make a name for itself pretty quick," Lehman told FOX 10 Phoenix.
