About Us
From our beginnings to today’s SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles, our story is rooted in supporting firefighters with dependable equipment, trusted expertise, and long-standing relationships across the Western United States. The history of SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles traces back more than eight decades to its founding as Cascade Fire Equipment Corporation in Yakima, Washington.
About SWEV
SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles supports fire departments throughout the Western United States with apparatus designed and built for the realities of the job.
Our team combines decades of experience in emergency vehicle design, engineering, and service with a deep understanding of the operational environments faced by departments across the region. From rugged wildland terrain to rural response environments, SeaWestern EV focuses on delivering dependable apparatus and long-term support to the firefighters and agencies we proudly serve.
The roots of SeaWestern EV trace back more than 80 years to Yakima, Washington, where the foundations of the company began serving the fire service community in the early 1940s.
Our Origins
The story begins in 1942 when Wayne Schoonover, while serving with the Yakima Fire Department, started a small business in Union Gap supplying fire extinguisher chemicals under the name Cascade Carbonics.
In 1945 the business evolved into Cascade Fire Equipment, expanding beyond extinguisher chemicals to provide firefighting equipment and apparatus to fire departments throughout the Pacific Northwest. This marked the beginning of a decades-long commitment to supporting the fire service.
Our history
1942
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
The company evolves into Cascade Fire Equipment, expanding into firefighting equipment and apparatus sales to fire departments across the region.
1958
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
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
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
Cascade Fire & Safety becomes the Emergency One (E-One) apparatus dealer for eastern and central Washington after E-ONE acquires American Eagle.
2005
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
The company begins producing its own fire apparatus, launching the modern wildland apparatus program.
2012
Cascade adds KME Fire Apparatus, expanding its apparatus offerings for fire departments throughout the region.
2020
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
Cascade Fire & Safety becomes SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles, bringing together decades of experience and strengthening the apparatus program.
2026
SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles becomes part of MES Life Safety, expanding resources and support for fire departments throughout the Western United States and expanding its effort to set the standard for Wildland Apparatus in the west under the direction of Jordan Koffler, Director of SWEV.
continuing the mission
Today, SeaWestern Emergency Vehicles focuses on designing and supporting wildland and specialty apparatus engineered for the demanding terrain and operational environments of the Western United States.
While the company has evolved over the decades, the mission remains the same: supporting firefighters with dependable equipment and trusted expertise.
From a small fire extinguisher business in the 1940s to a modern apparatus manufacturer and service provider, SeaWestern EV continues to build on a legacy dedicated to serving those who serve their communities.