About Us
From our beginnings in Yakima to Ridgehound Emergency Vehicles today, our story has been rooted in supporting firefighters with dependable equipment, practical expertise, and long-standing relationships across the West.
For more than eight decades, the organization behind Ridgehound has evolved alongside the fire service—from its 1942 start as Cascade Carbonics, to Cascade Fire Equipment, SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles, and now Ridgehound. Through every chapter, the commitment has remained the same: understand the mission, build and support equipment that works, and stand behind the agencies who depend on it.
About Ridgehound
Ridgehound Emergency Vehicles is a focused manufacturer of purpose-built wildland and specialty apparatus.
Built in Yakima, Washington, Ridgehound combines a deep fire-service heritage with a modern, disciplined approach to apparatus design. We build around the realities crews face: hard terrain, limited access, long operational periods, and equipment that has to perform when conditions are anything but ideal.
Our approach is structured customization on proven platforms—giving departments the flexibility to build for their mission while maintaining the quality, repeatability, and long-term serviceability that matter after delivery. Ridgehound is supported by MES and represented through a national network, while remaining closely connected to the crews and communities that shaped the company from the beginning.
Our Origins
The story began in 1942, when Wayne Schoonover—while serving with the Yakima Fire Department—started a small Union Gap business supplying fire extinguisher chemicals under the name Cascade Carbonics.
In 1945, the business became Cascade Fire Equipment and expanded into firefighting equipment and apparatus for departments throughout the Pacific Northwest. What began as a local fire-service business grew through decades of hard work, trusted relationships, and a practical commitment to helping departments get the equipment and support they needed.
Our History
1942
Cascade Carbonics
Wayne Schoonover establishes Cascade Carbonics in Union Gap, Washington while serving with the Yakima Fire Department, supplying fire extinguisher chemicals to local businesses and departments.
1945
Cascade Fire Equipment
The company evolves into Cascade Fire Equipment, expanding into firefighting equipment and apparatus sales to fire departments across the region.
1958
A Home on Front Street
Don and Elaine Williams purchase the business and relocate operations to 123 S. Front Street in Yakima, expanding Cascade Fire Equipment into a growing regional distributor for firefighting equipment.
1960–1980s
A Regional Leader
Cascade Fire Equipment grows into one of the leading fire equipment and apparatus distributors in the Pacific Northwest, supporting fire departments with equipment, Van Pelt Fire Apparatus - then American Eagle Fire Apparatus, and service.
1986
New Ownership
Dennis Sierts purchases the business and continues expanding apparatus sales and support for fire departments across eastern Washington - while never straying from our roots.
Early 1990s
E-One Dealer
Cascade Fire & Safety becomes the Emergency One (E-One) apparatus dealer for eastern and central Washington after E-ONE acquires American Eagle.
2005
A New Phase of Growth
Mark and Becky Merritt purchase the company and begin a new phase of growth focused on apparatus sales and service and instilling a culture of pride in the business. Focusing on doing things the right way, for the right reasons.
2008
Building Our Own
The company begins producing its own fire apparatus, launching the modern wildland apparatus program.
2012
KME Fire Apparatus
Cascade adds KME Fire Apparatus, expanding its apparatus offerings for fire departments throughout the region.
2020
Fouts Fire
Cascade Fire & Safety adds Fouts Fire to become its 4th OEM represented brand - strengthening its portfolio to truly have a solution for every department.
2024
SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles
Cascade Fire & Safety becomes SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles, bringing together decades of experience and strengthening the apparatus program.
2025
Joining MES
SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles joins MES, expanding the resources, operational support, and national reach behind the Yakima wildland and specialty apparatus operation - led by Jordan Koffler, Director.
2026
Ridgehound Emergency Vehicles
SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles becomes Ridgehound Emergency Vehicles—a focused identity for purpose-built wildland and specialty apparatus. Ridgehound carries forward the experience, people, and manufacturing foundation built over more than eight decades, with a clear mission for the future: build dependable apparatus for hard country, hard work, and the crews who answer the call.
continuing the mission
Today, Ridgehound Emergency Vehicles designs, builds, and supports wildland and specialty apparatus for agencies operating in demanding terrain, limited-access environments, and complex all-risk conditions.
The name has changed over the decades. The mission has not. Ridgehound remains committed to practical equipment, dependable support, and the firefighters and communities who rely on both.