Leader Emergency Vehicles, the South El Monte ambulance builder known for its custom rigs and West Coast focus, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The milestone highlights half a century of local innovation and service in emergency medical transport.
Leader Emergency Vehicles Beginnings
Leader Emergency Vehicles opened its doors in South El Monte in 1975. Founders Peter and Joanne Morales saw a need for ambulances tailored to California’s varied terrain and climate. They set up shop on Weaver Avenue, in a modest 10,000-square-foot facility. From day one, the Moraleses worked with local fire chiefs and EMS crews to refine cab layout and equipment placement. That partnership shaped the early prototypes and cemented Leader’s reputation for field-tested design.
The company joined REV Group, Inc., in 2010 but kept its South El Monte plant and family-style culture. Under the REV umbrella, Leader gained access to advanced chassis technologies and wider supply chains. Yet the original plant on Weaver Avenue remains the heart of production, with the same spirit of hands-on craftsmanship that defined its first decade.
Leader Emergency Vehicles Today
Today’s Leader Emergency Vehicles operates in a 100,000-square-foot factory on a two-acre site. It produces Type I, II and III ambulance models. Vehicles can be outfitted for basic life support, advanced life support or custom roles. The plant sources many components from California suppliers to speed repairs and minimize downtime for local fleets.
More than 100 employees work on the production line and in design, engineering, customer support and parts. Many staff members have been with Leader for 20 years or more. That long tenure helps keep knowledge in house. It also cuts lead times for remounts and refurbishments. A factory parts warehouse sits adjacent to the production floor. That on-site stock helps ensure replacement parts ship same day for municipal and private operators.
Leader Emergency Vehicles 50th Events
Leader Emergency Vehicles kicked off its anniversary at the American Ambulance Association conference in Lexington, Kentucky, in June. An anniversary display featured early models and modern custom rigs. Company representatives hosted a trivia contest on Leader’s milestones. In August, the California Ambulance Association recognized the milestone at its convention in Monterey, with a special plaque presentation to plant leadership.
In September, Leader opened its doors for a public celebration in South El Monte. More than 200 guests attended, including city officials, first responders and local suppliers. Irina Hot, vice president of sales for REV Ambulance Group, spoke at the ceremony. She praised Leader’s resilience and called its South El Monte plant “a bedrock of West Coast emergency services.” Attendees toured the production line and viewed a timeline of the company’s growth.
Community Impact and Future Plans
Over 50 years, Leader Emergency Vehicles has boosted the local economy. Its plant draws skilled welders, electricians and cabinetmakers to the city. The company partners with Rio Hondo Community College on apprenticeship programs. Graduates gain hands-on experience in vehicle bodywork and medical equipment installation. That pipeline helps meet demand for skilled trades in the region.
Leader also supports local youth sports and scholarships. It has donated to the Mid Valley News’s annual scholarship fund for high school seniors. The company hosts an annual toy drive for underprivileged families and provides plant tours for nearby schools.
Looking ahead, Leader plans to expand its electric ambulance line in 2026. A pilot project will retrofit a Type I model with zero-emission drive technology. The company says it is committed to reducing emissions in emergency response fleets.
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