Equipment Development Center

DNRC obtains federal excess property and develops it into fire suppression equipment. This equipment is used primarily to support the State/County Cooperative Fire Protection Program and also to support our Direct Protection, Communications and Aviation programs.

Aviation

fuel truck

DNRC has built a 2400-gallon fuel truck to support the aviation program throughout the State of Montana. Also three 600-gallon fuel trucks have been developed by EDC to support the needs of the aviation program. These are located in Helena, Missoula and Kalispell. We also have a 300-gallon fuel truck in Miles City.

Communication Operations

Communications trucks

EDC installed the utility boxes on new purchased trucks and designed the top of cover for the GMC truck. In addition, EDC has made a portable repeater box, then the communications hardware was set up by Communications. The repeater box can be flown in by helicopter to any remote site.

County Coop Program Equipment

The counties have over 400 pieces of equipment that EDC developed. 90% of these vehicles originated as federal excess property that EDC transformed into usable vehicles. Type 6 fire engines are the main vehicles used and developed for the counties from this excess property.

The fire truck is rebuilt from ground up. This gives the operator an ownership to maintain and care for the vehicle, while having a very dependable unit. Other equipment developed for the county fire departments are pumps, water tenders, type 6,5,4,3 fire trucks, trailers set up for communications and generators. Under the county coop program theses pieces of equipment are loaned to the counties, maintained by the counties and inspected by our land office mechanics.

truck that will be a Type 6 engine

Before

typical Type 6 engine completed

Typical type 6 engine after development

Direct Protection Fire Trucks

DNR 1566, 500 gallon Type 5 Engine

EDC has built a new generation of the type 6,5,4. Using the F-450 or the F-550 chassis and the Hale pump with the poly tank, the water tank is 300 gallon or 500 gallon tank. The poly tanks have a built-in foam cell of 6-gallons. The Hale pumps as an integrated 3-gallon fuel cell, which allows the operator to fill the tanks when fueling the chassis, or from the ground instead of pouring fuel over a hot engine on the pump. The pump panel incorporates the Scotty inductor for the foam system. Larger boxes have been installed on the bed of the vehicle to allow the personnel to organize the complement and have plenty of room for personnel gear. This has been a big success for the operator.

Hale foam system with electric hose reel

After the redevelopment of DSL 302 (TYPE 3) it now has a 750-gallon tank, PTO pump, and utility box with plenty of room for complement and personnel gear. This engine has the capability to pump and roll. Two 1-1/2" rear mounted bumper preconnected hose lays can be deployed from the sides or through the top of the bumper lid. (Two) 2-1/2" side discharge, one on each side, pumps just water, no concentrate. A 1" hose reel on rear of vehicle is used for vehicle protection.

Truck will be a Type 3 Engine

Rear view of type 3 engine

Pumps for County Fire Trucks Builty with VFA/RFA Funds

VFA/RFA grant dollars purchase the chassis for the pump platform, and then EDC builds the pump platform as part of the County Coop program to produce quality fire trucks for county fire departments.
The county owns the chassis, but the pump platform is maintained and owned by DNRC. The platform is built on the same design as the pumps used on our direct protection fire trucks. This allows the operator to train on like vehicles, maintenance is easier for the user, and the costs are kept low and so is maintenance.