Message from Deputy Mayor Matt Adams - August 7, 2026
Among the resources that proved invaluable during the July 3 storm response was the township’s new SHERP all-terrain vehicle. The SHERP is an amphibious, off-road vehicle originally engineered to operate in some of the most extreme environments on earth.
It reminds me of DUKW amphibious military trucks of the World War II era that now serve as tourist attractions in many major American cities like Boston and Philadelphia.
It features oversized, self-inflating and deflating, ultra-low-pressure tires, a sealed aluminum body, and a diesel engine designed for high torque and fuel efficiency. The SHERP can traverse floodwaters like a boat, deep mud, snow, rocky terrain, and downed trees — obstacles that would stop conventional emergency vehicles in their tracks.
It is fully amphibious, meaning it can transition seamlessly from land to water without modification, and its skid-steering system allows it to turn within its own length, making it exceptionally maneuverable in tight, debris-filled areas.
The vehicle can climb vertical obstacles up to three feet high, ascend steep grades of up to 35 degrees, and carry over 2,600 pounds of cargo or up to eight passengers. Across the country, SHERP vehicles are increasingly being adopted by fire departments, search and rescue teams, and emergency medical services for their unmatched ability to reach people and places that other vehicles simply cannot under the harshest conditions.
The Scotch Plains Fire Department is the second known agency in the State of New Jersey to acquire one of these life-saving vehicles for its fleet.
The Township of Scotch Plains acquired its SHERP as part of the 2026 capital budget authorized by the Council earlier this year. The vehicle was delivered just within the last two weeks — making the July 3 storm its first real-world deployment. For those in attendance at the town fireworks display this year, you saw it on display in the Shady Rest parking lot.
When downed trees and power lines blocked roads throughout the community, the SHERP enabled our first responders to navigate directly over and through those obstacles, reaching residents who might otherwise have been stranded. It was used to conduct rescue and recovery operations in areas that were completely inaccessible to standard patrol vehicles and fire apparatus. The timing of the acquisition could not have been more fortunate, and the SHERP has already demonstrated its value as a critical addition to our emergency response capabilities in the Township.
