LeMAY FORESTRY CENTER

The LeMay Forestry Center is a critical component of the Wisconsin DNR's fire control program. Wisconsin's fire control program is regarded nationally as a leader in initial attack fire fighting, in part due to the quality and effectiveness of the equipment designed, fabricated and serviced at the LeMay Center. Among its key functions, the LeMay Center:

• Develops, fabricates and outfits specialized fire control equipment. Because of the unique nature of equipment needed to most effectively suppress forest fires in Wisconsin, the Center is able to produce the specialized equipment at a cost 20%-50% below what can be produced in the private sector.
• Provides emergency repairs and service to specialized fire control equipment. The Center is equipped to provide immediate service, a critical function during periods of high fire danger when people, their homes and property and natural resources are at risk.
• Works directly with forest firefighters through the Department's Forestry Equipment & Safety Specialist Team on research and development for forest fire suppression equipment. This close relationship has produced numerous innovations in fire control equipment, spanning 70 years.

LeMay Center Priorities:

1. Emergency repairs and service of specialized forest fire control equipment and field needs. This includes a warehouse of forest fire fighting equipment and tools which supplies the field and co-op fire departments as well as the LeMay fabrication mission. A service truck and personnel are available to deliver equipment and make field repairs on short notice.
2. New forest fire control equipment development, fabrication and outfitting. The LeMay Center has the engineering and fabrication capabilities to fabricate and asseimble the specialized forest fire control vehicles and equipment required for wildland fire fighting.
• Emergency repair of non-fire control equipment.
• Regular repair and rebuilding of forest fire control equipment.
• Construction of miscellaneous forestry program equipment.
• Facility maintenance.
3. Repair and maintenance of non-fire heavy equipment and vehicles. This includes delivery of forestry site preparation equipment.

The forestry protection mission includes emergency use of the forest fire control equipment in the protection of life, structures and resources. The need for quick and accurate repairs is paramount in keeping the forest fire control fleet ready for duty. The specialized nature of the forest fire fighting vehicles (and site preparation equipment) limits the repair and maintenance of these vehicles at other DNR or vendor shops because they often do not have the necessary equipment or expertise to perform timely repairs.

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