YAKIMA, WA – September 21, 2026 – MES Life Safety is excited to announce that SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles has become Ridgehound, a dedicated manufacturer of purpose-built wildland and specialty apparatus.
The new identity reflects the transformation of the company’s Yakima operation from a regional in-house apparatus program into a focused manufacturing business that designs, engineers, builds, and supports vehicles for demanding wildland response environments.
The same experienced team remains behind the apparatus, and the Yakima operation will continue designing, building, and supporting the trucks. Ridgehound and MES Life Safety also remain fully committed to every SeaWestern apparatus already in service.
A New Identity Built on More Than 80 Years of Experience
Ridgehound’s foundation reaches back to the 1940s, when a small firefighter-founded business began serving departments in Yakima, Washington. Through its evolution from Cascade Fire Equipment to SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles, the company developed long-standing fire-service relationships and decades of apparatus experience.
Over the past several years, its wildland apparatus program has become the central focus of the Yakima operation. Engineering systems, manufacturing processes, production capabilities, and product offerings have expanded alongside growing demand for specialized wildland vehicles.
“Ridgehound is not a departure from what SeaWestern built. It is the result of it,” said Paul Pathikal, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Excellence at MES Life Safety. “The new name reflects the focus, engineering discipline, and manufacturing capabilities that have developed in Yakima. More importantly, it reinforces our responsibility to build dependable apparatus around the departments and crews who rely on them.”
The Ridgehound name combines two ideas central to that work. “Ridge” represents steep ground, remote access, and changing topography. “Hound” represents loyalty, dependability, grit, and the determination to keep working as conditions become more difficult.
Together, the name represents rugged apparatus built for crews operating beyond the easy road.
Purpose-Built for Wildland Operations
Ridgehound approaches wildland apparatus as a complete vehicle rather than a collection of separate components.
Chassis configuration, weight distribution, equipment access, storage, plumbing, electrical systems, lighting, controls, and long-term serviceability are considered together throughout the engineering process. Departments can also review detailed digital models of equipment placement, compartment layouts, discharge locations, controls, dimensions, and other critical elements before construction begins.
The flagship Model 1 platform gives departments the flexibility to configure tank capacity, pump systems, storage, discharges, lighting, chassis, suspension, and equipment placement around their response needs.
Both platforms combine Ridgehound-engineered system layouts with established fire-service components to support dependable performance, simplified maintenance, and long-term serviceability.
Investing in Manufacturing and Customer Support
With the support and resources of MES Life Safety, Ridgehound is investing in additional people, engineering tools, manufacturing systems, quality controls, facilities, and production capacity.
These investments are intended to improve consistency from one apparatus to the next, strengthen communication throughout the design and production process, support more predictable lead times, and provide accountable support after delivery.
Learn more about Ridgehound, its apparatus platforms, and service capabilities at www.ridgehoundfire.com.
About Ridgehound
Ridgehound designs, engineers, manufactures, and supports purpose-built wildland and specialty apparatus from its operation in Yakima, Washington. Built on more than 80 years of fire-service experience, Ridgehound combines proven engineering platforms, established components, configurable vehicle systems, and long-term customer support.
Ridgehound. Built for the Wild.
About MES Life Safety
Since 2001, MES Life Safety has equipped fire departments, law enforcement agencies, industrial organizations, and other at-risk workers with apparatus, equipment, personal protective equipment, and service support. Through a national network of specialized sales representatives, mobile technicians, and strategically located service centers, MES helps customers maintain operational readiness and bring their people Back Home Safely.
Learn more at www.meslifesafety.com.
Contact Information
MES Life Safety
Paul Pathikal
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Commercial Excellence
856-353-0770
paul.pathikal@meslifesafety.com