Fresno Company Develops Innovative Firefighting Truck for Kansas

The custom vehicle features the world's largest vehicle-mounted ventilation fan to clear smoke faster and save lives.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 2:07am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A highly textured, abstract painting in earthy tones depicting the sweeping geometric forms and precise botanical spirals of a massive industrial ventilation fan, conceptually representing the powerful smoke-clearing capabilities of this innovative firefighting technology.A cutting-edge firefighting truck with the world's largest vehicle-mounted ventilation fan promises to clear smoke and save lives in complex urban environments.Fresno Today

A Fresno-based manufacturer of firefighter safety equipment, Tempest, has developed a custom firetruck for the Kansas City Fire Department that features the world's largest vehicle-mounted ventilation fan. The 60-inch fan, powered by a hydraulic scissor lift that extends 20 feet into the air and rotates 360 degrees, is designed to clear smoke, heat, and toxic gases from complex environments in minutes, potentially saving lives.

Why it matters

Smoke and toxic fumes are major hazards for firefighters, often obscuring visibility and creating dangerous conditions. This new truck represents a significant technological advancement that could improve firefighter safety and effectiveness, especially in complex urban environments.

The details

The custom firetruck, dubbed the Mobile Ventilation Unit, was developed by Tempest, a Fresno-based manufacturer of firefighter safety equipment. The key feature is the massive 60-inch ventilation fan, which can be extended 20 feet into the air and rotated a full 360 degrees to clear smoke and gases from even the most challenging spaces.

  • The custom firetruck is set to hit the road in Kansas City on Monday, April 15, 2026.

The players

Tempest

A Fresno-based manufacturer of firefighter safety equipment that developed the custom firetruck with the world's largest vehicle-mounted ventilation fan.

Kansas City Fire Department

The fire department that will be the first to use the new custom firetruck featuring Tempest's innovative smoke-clearing technology.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Kansas City Fire Department will begin using the new custom firetruck with the world's largest vehicle-mounted ventilation fan on Monday, April 15, 2026.

The takeaway

This innovative firefighting truck developed by a Fresno company represents a significant technological advancement that could improve firefighter safety and effectiveness, especially in complex urban environments where smoke and toxic fumes pose major hazards.