When Louisville Metro Emergency Management, a branch of Louisville Metro Emergency Services, began planning its next-generation mobile command vehicle, the department needed more than an upgraded truck, it needed a highly customized platform built to support complex emergency response, interoperability and long-term operational flexibility.
Our previous mobile command vehicle had served us well over the years, but both the vehicle and the technology inside were beginning to age. We needed to invest in a next-generation mobile command vehicle that could support our region's evolving emergency management needs for years to come.
At the same time, the number and complexity of incidents we respond to continues to reinforce how important mobility and operational flexibility really are. We could be managing a major incident locally while simultaneously supporting mutual aid operations elsewhere in Kentucky. That level of demand requires a vehicle capable of handling multiple missions at once.
We did a ton of research across the country and evaluated a variety of custom truck builders and specialty vehicle manufacturers.
One of the things that helped us make our final decision was visiting another Frontline Communications vehicle operated by Hampton, Virginia. Seeing that vehicle in person gave us a strong starting point and helped us better visualize what was possible for our own mobile command vehicle.
We also worked closely with Frontline Communications’ Dealer, Atlantic Emergency Solutions. Atlantic Emergency Solutions is a well-known and respected dealer throughout our region. Many fire departments utilize Atlantic Emergency Solutions, so they are familiar not only with this area but also with the emergencies we face.
Look up your local Frontline Communications Dealer.
Frontline Communications seemed to give off a vibe that said, "If you can dream it, we can build it." Customization was absolutely critical for us, and this mentality allowed us to think beyond traditional emergency vehicle design and truly build a mobile command vehicle tailored to our exact operational needs.
“We weren’t interested in compromising on capabilities or being limited by standard configurations. And we were confident Frontline Communications could deliver and meet these expectations.”
We traveled to Frontline Communications’ facility in Florida multiple times and worked side-by-side with their team reviewing every detail of the vehicle — from communications infrastructure and technology integrations to cabinetry, workspace layouts and exterior functionality.
One thing that really stood out was how collaborative and detail-oriented the process was. We sat down with the Frontline Communications team, reviewed spec sheets line by line, made updates in real time and quickly received revised drawings and documentation so we always had the latest version in front of us. That level of communication helped ensure nothing was overlooked throughout the build.
Throughout the process, we received regular build updates, progress reports and photos, which always gave us visibility into the vehicle’s status — even while we were back home in Louisville. Those updates allowed us to catch and address small adjustments early, keeping the project moving smoothly.
Another major advantage was Frontline Communications’ ability to serve as a true one-stop partner. Everything from paint and graphics to technology integrations and vehicle support was handled through a single team, which made the entire experience far more streamlined and efficient.
“We can't thank the teams at Frontline Communications and Atlantic Emergency Solutions enough for the experiences we had while designing and building our truck. Both teams took the stress out of it and made it fun.”
We wanted a vehicle with rock-solid communications infrastructure, multiple layers of redundancy and the ability to seamlessly integrate with our primary Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in downtown Louisville. Whether personnel are operating inside the vehicle or from our permanent EOC, everyone needs to be able to share information, video and audio in real time as though they are operating from the same facility.
We also wanted greater operational flexibility within the vehicle, including the ability to host multiple meetings simultaneously and stream them externally during large-scale incidents when personnel may be working outside the vehicle.
Yes, reliable connectivity.
One challenge we consistently face during disasters and large-scale public events is degraded cellular performance. Whether it’s a tornado response or major community events and festivals where everyone is competing for the same cellular bandwidth.
To solve that issue, we designed the vehicle with bonded cellular connectivity backed by Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology through Starlink. That level of redundancy gives us significantly greater confidence in maintaining communications during high-demand situations.
Check out images of Louisville’s new Mobile Command Vehicle and download the vehicle’s spec drawings here.
Interoperability was one of the driving forces behind nearly every design decision we made.
During the planning process, one of the biggest questions we continuously asked was: “Can this system communicate with everything else we rely on?”
For example, the truck includes a JPS interoperability gateway that allows us to bridge radio systems that normally wouldn’t communicate with one another. We also incorporated Radio over IP (RoIP) technologies that allow mobile devices to integrate directly into communications workflows.
“Our main goal was to create a mobile command vehicle platform that removes communication barriers rather than creating them, and Frontline Communications helped us do just that.”
The vehicle has been performing great! Anything that we needed was addressed immediately by the team at either Frontline Communications or Atlantic Emergency Solutions.
It was a fantastic experience from start to finish.
The Frontline Communications team is knowledgeable, responsive and genuinely invested in the success of each project they build. Throughout the process, it was clear they take pride not only in the quality of their vehicles, but also in the relationships they build with customers.
One moment that really stood out happened while we were in Florida for the final inspection of the truck. Back home, Louisville had experienced a tragic UPS plane crash. The next morning, every single person we interacted with at Frontline Communications first asked how our team and community were doing before discussing the truck itself.
That level of compassion and personal connection reinforced that the Frontline Communications team wasn’t simply building us a vehicle, they cared about our team and mission and were becoming a true partner.
“Frontline Communications has been one of the best manufacturers we’ve had the pleasure of working with, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.”
Frontline Communications continues to proactively check in with us to ensure everything is operating as expected. When questions or issues arise, both Frontline Communications and Atlantic Emergency Solutions respond incredibly quickly (often the same day). Whether troubleshooting remotely, overnighting parts or dispatching technicians onsite, they’ve consistently demonstrated the level of 24/7 support you hope for in a long-term partner.
Don't be afraid to ask for the weird stuff. Dream big. A vehicle like this is a long-term investment, so think beyond your immediate needs. Look at emerging trends and ask for the capabilities you truly want (even if they seem unconventional).
Don’t just look at the emergency services industry; consider other industries that operate trucks like this as well. The broadcast industry, racing industry and federal/state/local agencies. Even take a look at high-end fishing vessels. A number of systems onboard our truck hail from the marine industry (FLIR thermal imaging system, Optiplex vehicle management system).
“Frontline Communications encouraged us to think creatively throughout the entire design process, and that made a huge difference in the final product.”
100%, hands down. I would recommend Frontline Communications to everyone. In fact, I have already done so. With the truck being displayed in the International Association of Emergency Managers Conference (IAEM) as well as FDIC 2026, it gave us an opportunity to show off the truck and talk with peers who may be interested in their own vehicle. We answered many questions about the process and why we built the truck the way we did.
The #1 question we keep getting is “Who built this beast?” We are proud to say “Frontline Communications!”
Frontline Communications partners with emergency management agencies, law enforcement departments and first responders nationwide to design fully customized mobile command and communications solutions built around real-world operational needs.
Contact Frontline Communications today to start designing your next-generation mobile command vehicle.