Hurricane Police Department unveils civilian rescue vehicle, a project 1 year in the making

HURRICANE — The Hurricane Police Department unveiled a new high-mobility armored rescue vehicle this week, sporting a new paint job and outfitted with everything needed for just about any type of rescue operation the department could face.

Inside view of the CRV that can transport 20 individuals in an emergency, unveiled Wednesday at a media event hosted by the Hurricane Police Department, Hurricane, Utah, Oct. 4, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Presented during a media event Wednesday at the Washington County Fairgrounds in Hurricane, the military vehicle, known as a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle or MRAP, was delivered to the Hurricane Police Department in 2016 and has spent the last 12 months receiving a makeover.

Through a series of modifications, the armored vehicle was outfitted to function as a rescue vehicle, equipped with medical supplies, rescue equipment and other items needed for any type of emergency or rescue operation.

“We’ve outfitted it to be used as a civilian rescue vehicle, or CRV, and hopefully we’ll never have to use it, but it can be used in a natural disaster, flooding, something really bad like an active shooter or other large incidents,” Hurricane Police Officer Ken Thompson said.

The vehicle can accommodate at least 20 individuals during transportation operations, cross rivers with a depth of more than 3 feet, drive over large obstacles and debris and makes even difficult rescues possible from areas too remote for other vehicles to traverse.

The CRV is equipped with Michelin Run Flat tires designed to withstand harsh conditions, and it can continue moving at more than 30 mph even if one or all of the tires become flat. Further, the high clearance allows it to go through 36 inches of water safely.

“The only way we could have ever gotten a vehicle like this is through the ‘1033 program,'” Thompson said.

Hurricane Police Department unveils the new military land vehicle converted into civilian rescue vehicle at a media event, Hurricane, Utah, Oct. 4, 2017 | Photo by Cody Blowers, St. George News

Congress launched the “1033 program” in 1990 as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, which allowed military equipment to be transferred from the Department of Defense to state and local authorities for use in “counter-drug activities.”

Excess property from the Department of Defense that might otherwise be destroyed is transferred to law enforcement agencies across the country, limited to reserve stock or items no longer needed. The only costs involved with acquiring equipment obtained are pickup or shipping costs.

Many of the items would otherwise be unobtainable given their costs, as the Hurricane Police Department, like other police agencies, has limited resources to acquire public safety equipment. The original cost of the CRV was more than $500,000, but the department paid just over $13,000 in shipping and transfer fees for the equipment, Thompson said.

Both Washington and Iron County Sheriff’s offices own MRAP vehicles they obtained through the 1033 program.

Since its inception, the program has transferred more than $6 billion worth of property to the more than 8,000 law enforcement agencies enrolled in the program.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2017, all rights reserved.

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26 Comments

  • Luke October 7, 2017 at 9:47 pm

    Nice slat armor over the windows it should come in handy when you’re taking rocket propelled grenade launcher fire when going down Main Street in hurricane, nice job with the taxpayers money maybe next time we can get a Blackhawk helicopter with the machine gun.

  • Not_So_Much October 7, 2017 at 9:51 pm

    Good grief. How about some surface to air and or an ICBM or two, you know just in case.

  • DRT October 7, 2017 at 10:08 pm

    Nice PR spin on a SWAT vehicle!
    Actually though, I’m glad the departments have these. There’s two things I hope for though. First is that they never have the need to use them as SWAT vehicles. Second is that they don’t feel they have to take them out when there’s no need.

  • 42214 October 7, 2017 at 10:58 pm

    I bet they put a radar unit on it and park it on Hwy 9 to write CS speeding tickets. HPD’s idea of public service.

  • Bender October 8, 2017 at 12:37 am

    White elephant. Maintenance costs and trouble will out weigh its utility. Expect to see this parked or excessed within 5 years.

  • PiousInquisitor October 8, 2017 at 1:09 am

    “Civilian rescue vehicle”. Riiiight. Lol. That’s a “militarized police delivery vehicle”.

  • Kyle L. October 8, 2017 at 3:39 am

    Anything to protect the men and women of the Hurricane PD. Continue the good work guys. Keep up the good work.

  • Real Life October 8, 2017 at 8:24 am

    One can take comfort knowing that the city of Hurricane is now prepared for the pending zombie apocalypse.

    • .... October 9, 2017 at 4:17 am

      Well with people like you running around it was a wiser decision

      • Real Life October 9, 2017 at 6:27 am

        4:17am? Get off the dope.

  • Caveat_Emptor October 8, 2017 at 8:40 am

    I am sure we all agree that we are thankful to live in a relatively low crime part of the United States. As such, the need for another one of these customized military vehicles to respond to SWAT calls is small, to none.
    I would submit that acquisition of this MRAP for civilian rescue purposes, is a waste of taxpayer money. The police have done well to shutdown illegal drug labs, and deal with armed bad guys, with their prior inventory of equipment.
    Frankly, these vehicles would be better deployed along the Gulf Coast of the U.S. through the National Guard, as we continue to see the negative impact of climate change, leading to extreme storms and resultant flooding. This is exactly where a high clearance vehicle, with run-flat tires, that can carry 20 folks stranded by flood waters, would be really a life saver……

    • bikeandfish October 8, 2017 at 11:35 am

      Well said. I am skeptical of police having these military surplus vehicles but your recommendation is thoughtful and an intelligent application.

  • debbie October 8, 2017 at 1:01 pm

    And yet, if at a major event and yes hurricane has 3 or 4 major crowd events a year, it is nice to know we have this to go into an active shooter area and give assistance and a bullit proof place to hide. Las. Vegas should have one of these set upl newer every crowd from now on

  • debbie October 8, 2017 at 1:02 pm

    *every

  • DoYourHomework October 8, 2017 at 2:43 pm

    This called conditioning the masses for what the state will do if you don’t obey.

  • Sedona October 8, 2017 at 3:26 pm

    The best defense is a great offense.

  • 42214 October 8, 2017 at 7:22 pm

    It will be a ride at next year’s Peach Festival.

  • old school October 8, 2017 at 8:02 pm

    Wow, 1033 must not have a lot if oversight, something like that should have gone to the boarder patrol. Though from a local perspective, it’s pretty irresponsible of Washington County to even requisition a maintenance nightmare like that, the price of a set of tires for that rig would probably buy a police cruiser. One of our elected visionaries is probably planning a big fat backdoor payday on the resale when the next budget meeting decides “we can’t afford the upkeep”, YOUR TAX DOLLARS AT WORK!!!

  • ladybugavenger October 8, 2017 at 8:26 pm

    I would like to go for a ride in it and check it tohe features. Maybe they can turn it into a tourist attraction and charge an entry fee. ?

    • ladybugavenger October 8, 2017 at 8:28 pm

      Sorry, still the same messed up phone that changes screens when I type. I miss the typos out of frustration. #fundraiserforladybugsnewphone

  • youcandoit October 8, 2017 at 10:33 pm

    St George has had to use their armored vehicle a few times. I’m glad they have it to use for their protection. And my thought on the zombie apocalypse I think it’s here look at the drug addicts with their sores on their skin and trying to get in our house and cars. Yikes

  • St. G October 8, 2017 at 10:47 pm

    HAHAHAHAHAHAHA….wait, for citizens and taxpayers, this is rather sad.

  • JOSH DALTON October 9, 2017 at 12:13 pm

    I guess the Methheads in Hurricane Utah are packing RPGS now a days! GO FALCONS!

  • John October 9, 2017 at 7:47 pm

    You all can go to a surplus auction and get one for yourself…

  • one33one October 11, 2017 at 10:05 am

    I hope none of you making these negative comments ever have to eat crow because one of your loved ones is involved in a situation where this vehicle gives the police the option of being close to the scene with bullet proof cover. Is this vehicle needed for routine daily operations? No. That is obvious. However, with what is happening all over the world, local law enforcement is trying their best to be prepared for the worst case scenarios. Shame on any of you trash talking something that may save innocent lives in your community.

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