Acela Truck Company Introduces Its Dispatcher 4×4 Type 6 Fire Engine

Acela Truck Company is expanding its current product lines in the wildland fire market with the introduction of its Dispatcher 4×4 Type 6 Fire Engine, purpose-built for rapid initial attack in access-constrained environments. Engineered with a 150-gallon water capacity and a full complement of tools, hose and more, the Dispatcher delivers the maneuverability, payload and on/off-road performance required for modern wildland firefighting in a compact, cost-effective package, company officials stated in a press release.

Dispatcher 4×4 Type 6 Fire Engine Built for Access-Constrained Response

Built on a highly modified Jeep Gladiator chassis, the Dispatcher features a two-door extended cab paired with a custom 7 x 5-foot lightweight “ute”-style flatbed and a 150-gallon slip-in unit. This configuration, with its low center of gravity design, provides an ideal foundation for a compact NWCG-compliant Type 6 fire engine that provides impressive off-road stability.

With a best-in-class 3,000-pound payload—exceeding that of traditional half-ton pickups—the Dispatcher chassis is designed to carry a 150-gallon water tank, firefighting equipment and personnel. Its short wheelbase and tight turning radius, combined with Jeep’s off-road capabilities, enable access to narrow trails, wooded terrain and wildland-urban interface zones where larger apparatus cannot operate. While the Dispatcher is an obvious alternative to larger Type 6 engines, it is priced similarly to a larger UTV but has 2-3 times the payload and bed size at only 8 inches wider. It’s also significantly safer and doesn’t require a trailer or tow vehicle, noted the release.

“Type 6 apparatus are critical for rapid response and initial attack, especially in terrain where larger trucks are limited,” said David Ronsen, president of Acela. “The Dispatcher brings a new level of maneuverability and payload capacity to this category, while giving agencies the flexibility to choose the firefighting system that best fits their mission.”

Features & Use Cases

Powered by a Pentastar V-6 engine, a 9-speed automatic transmission and selectable four-wheel drive, the Dispatcher delivers reliable performance on the highway and across mountainous, sandy or muddy terrain. A 240-amp alternator supports pumps, lighting and communications equipment, while modern safety systems and ergonomic cab design enhance operator effectiveness during extended incidents. Other use cases include event standby, beach, boardwalk and lifeguard applications, parking structure fires, stadium response, SAR, law enforcement, traffic control and more.

Partnering With QTAC for Turnkey Upfitting

Acela has partnered with QTAC Fire and Rescue to offer a turnkey skid package solution. The Dispatcher platform is designed to support a broad range of third-party skid units, enabling agencies and upfitters to configure the truck to their specific operational requirements, including SAR/patient transport solutions that fully encapsulate the patient. A ROPS-certified patient transport body is already in the works.

Key Features:

• Type 6–ready platform supporting 150-gallon skid systems
• Compact, highly maneuverable Jeep-based chassis
• 3,000-pound payload capacity
• Proven 4×4 performance for rugged terrain
• 240-amp alternator for auxiliary equipment
• Compatible with a wide range of skid unit upfitters

The Acela Dispatcher was on display at the Wildland Urban Interface Conference in Reno, Nevada, March 24–25, and will be available through Acela and its dealer network beginning in April 2026.

Acela also recently introduced its compact Dispatcher 4×4 Work Truck based on the Jeep Gladiator platform at NTEA Work Truck Week.