Dallas-Fire Rescue (DFR) and the Department of Aviation advanced safety, innovation, and sustainability in Dallas with the unveiling of the world’s first all-electric aircraft rescue and firefighting (ARFF) vehicle at Dallas Love Field (DAL).
DFR, which provides fire protection and emergency medical services across the city, also oversees the specialized fleet of ARFF vehicles stationed at the airport. As part of ongoing modernization efforts, DFR and DAL deployed the new PANTHER 6×6 electric vehicle, manufactured by Rosenbauer International, on Wednesday, April 26, at the airport’s ARFF Station 21, enhancing both operational capability and environmental performance.
The new vehicle features include:
- 91,000 pounds of pure electric acceleration from 0 to 50 mph in under 25 seconds, under 20 seconds in “Boost Mode,” compared to 28 seconds for diesel.
- Increased master stream reach by 40%, extending from 190 feet to 250 feet, allowing crews to engage fires from a safer and more effective distance.
- Quiet electric motors delivering approximately 50% noise reduction during emergency responses compared to diesel operations.
”Innovation and new technology are a critical part of Dallas Fire-Rescue’s overall mission of rapid response, excellence in care, and the highest standards of safety,” said Justin Ball, Chief of the Dallas Fire-Rescue Department. “Adding the electric PANTHER 6X6 to our fleet equips our team with the latest in sustainable technology that will help us enhance our operational capabilities at Dallas Love Field.”
As the busiest medium hub airport in the United States, DAL serves almost 18 million passengers annually. The airport averages 675 aircraft operations daily, ranks second in the nation for private aircraft traffic, and has 100s of Fire-EMS related responses each year. This level of activity underscores the critical importance of maintaining world-class safety infrastructure and rapid response capabilities.
“Improved safety and operational resilience are always top of mind at DAL,” said Patrick Carreno, Director of Aviation at Dallas Love Field. “The presence and preparedness of our partner, Dallas Fire-Rescue, are invaluable to our airport. With the addition of the electric PANTHER 6×6, we are equipping them with a unique resource that enhances life-saving capabilities while supporting our commitment to energy efficiency and carbon neutrality.”
The introduction of the electric PANTHER 6×6 establishes a new benchmark in airport firefighting: delivering high-performance response capabilities while significantly reducing environmental impact.