Equipment Development and Communications Center
The Equipment Development and Communications Center (EDCC) is an integral part of the DNRC fire program by supporting direct protection and county cooperative fire forces with fire suppression equipment and radio communication infrastructure.
EDCC develops 10 to 15 new Type 5 wildland engines with custom pump platforms every year. These engines are used by DNRC personnel and county cooperators for fire protection on state and private lands. EDCC also develops its own Type 2 tactical water tenders from repurposed military trucks acquired through the Department of Defense Fire Fighter Program (FFP). These tenders are owned by the DNRC, but maintained and kept at fire departments all across Montana.
Besides developing equipment in-house, EDCC manages the Forest Service Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) program and the Department of Defense Fire Fighter Program (FFP) for the State of Montana. Through these programs the state receives excess federal property to be used for firefighting at the state and local level. Over $100 million dollars in FFP equipment has been obtained by EDCC, much of it going directly to fire departments throughout Montana to help build capacity and capabilities.