Roscommon Equipment Center
Annual REC Workshop
State wildfire professionals, equipment program leaders and others in the field are invited to attend the annual Roscommon Equipment Center Workshop hosted in October. Please visit this page for updates.
Highlights: Facility tour, professional development, networking and equipment operation opportunities
Who should attend: State wildfire chiefs, fire equipment program leaders and federal excess personal property specialists
Projects and Blueprints
The Roscommon Equipment Center researches, designs, tests and develops wildland fire equipment for national, state and local emergency responders. The REC also is a leader in engineering solutions to convert excess federal vehicles into fire control equipment.
In addition to the focus on wildland fire engines, the REC program pursues projects concerning fireline construction tools, specialized water handling equipment, commercial equipment evaluation, and fire chemical delivery systems.
Check out past projects and blueprints below.
- Newsnote #20, Marsh vehicle wiper, attachment to flatten phragmite grass in preparation for prescribed burns
Marsh/wet lands where phragmite typically grow can be difficult terrain to operate heavy equipment in. The DNR recognized this and have begun using an amphibious machine called a MarshMaster to be able to traverse this type of terrain. REC and DNR staff have developed a simple and low cost pull behind compaction device that effectively compacts this type of vegetation without the need for mowing or chopping.
- Project 29, Michigan Fireline Plow Design
This large format report (11-inch x 17-inch) provides complete drawings for fabricating the Michigan Fireline Plow. The Michigan fireline plow is a double bottom, fixed moldboard, hitch-mounted plow designed for smaller crawler tractors such as a John Deere 350 and 450 series.
- Newsnote #21, Utility Task Vehicle (UTV) Roof
REC staff in conjunction with the MIDNR have worked together to create a low cost roof design for attachment to Roll Over Protection (ROPS) equipped utility vehicles.The roof design gives agencies a way to fabricate and install an economical steel roof over their suitable vehicles in order to further protect the vehicles' operator from debris frequently encountered while operating in a wooded location.
- Project 65, Wildfire Transport Units for Grapple Skidders
This report contains information about transport units used by various wildland fire fighting agencies across the country. Use the links and information in the report introduction to submit your equipment data for incorporation into the report.
- Newsnote #22, Simple Electronic Sand Table
The Roscommon Equipment Center (REC) and MIDNR staff have once again worked together to develop a simple to use, electronic sand table. This sand table allows for ease of setup, transportability, saving event scenario's, no mess and photo realistic renderings of any given wildfire or other emergency event.
- Newsnote #19, Fire Prevention "Tree game"
REC staff in conjunction with the DNR have worked together to create an interactive carnival type game to help communicate the message of fire prevention.The "Tree Game" gives agencies a tool to be able to better explain causes of forest fire to children and give them a chance to learn how forest fires are extinguished by having them actively participate in putting out a mock fire on the Tree Game.
- Project 66, Flatbed & Water Tank Design for M1008 and Commercial Pickups
This is a REC conversion plan for the M1008 CUCV (GM 5/4-ton pickup). The REC design removes the cargo box, replacing it with a steel flatbed. A slip-on style tank and pump unit can be added. The flatbed is a good compromise for off-road work in the woods. Much of this information will be transferable to other pickup-style fire units of similar weight. The details include the flatbed design, purchasing specifications for the polypropylene water tank, and photos depicting one configuration for installing apparatus.
- Project 67, Portable Fire Fighting Unit for Grapple Skidders
This is a new look at an area REC has worked in before (refer to Project 26, Portable Fire Fighting Unit for Skidders). Since that report was published, the trend in logging operations seems to be toward grapple-type skidders. This report documents a water tank design specifically for grapple skidders.
- Project 61, Slip-On Tank Units
This project Includes a discussion of important issues for those buying or constructing slip-on tanks for mounting in pick-up truck units. Tank material selection, tank construction issues, determination of load capacity, and securing the tank are some of the topics discussed. An interactive calculator (Detailed Calculator - Pickup Truck Slip On Units) to pre-determine the weight of the completed slip-on unit is part of the project.
- Project 48, Vehicles for Fire Management
This report is a truck chassis primer aimed at wildland fire agencies. It is meant to help familiarize the reader with the definitions used by truck manufacturers. It discusses specification development and has a chart to estimate potential water capacity of a chassis based on the Gross Vehicle Weight rating. The appendices contain a national summary of truck cab and chassis needs done in 1988 and a federal performance standard for wildland engine cab and chassis was developed between the NWCG and GSA in 1990.
- Newsnote #3, Guidelines for Designing Forest Fire Engines
This pamphlet was produced as a handout to rural fire departments who had obtained Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) or Fire Fighter Property (FFP) vehicles for modification for fire use. It discusses vehicle loading, water tank construction, and safety requirements for doing this type of work. It also includes a list of resources that are available, including Roscommon Equipment Center reports.
- Project 63, 6x6 Wildland Fire Engines
This is a total revamp of REC's resources about converting a military 6x6 to wildfire engine use. It includes all 2.5 and 5-Ton models, information about load capacity, and designs for water tanks, metal cab top, brush protection, in-the-cab controlled telescoping emergency light mast and other accessories. NOTE: Project 63 replaces Projects 22, 25, and 39.
- Project 56A, Hummer & HMMWV Series Chassis
This report is an evaluation of the Hummer & HMMWV series chassis used in wildfire control. REC spent several years evaluating both commercial and U.S. Military versions of AM General’s Hummer. The report details the findings and discusses important points about modifying them for wildland fire use. Included are discussions about water tank placement and capacity for various versions.
- Project 72, Oshkosh R11 Conversion
This report demonstrates one method of converting an Oshkosh R11 Jet Refueling tanker into a water tender for wildland fire use.
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