Fire Prevention and Safety

Equipment

Over the years, the DNR has developed vehicles and techniques to effectively fight fires. The LeMay Center in Tomahawk, has become the headquarters for production and deployment of equipment. Read some of the techniques and view the vehicles below.

The Garage at the LeMay Center in Tomahawk

These units may commonly be referred to as "brush trucks." They are reasonably available in the commercial market. On the average, the LeMay Center assembles 6-8 units annually.

Type 4 Engine: A diesel engined, 3-ton truck based unit with an 850-gallon water tank, pump and storage compartments for fire fighting equipment. Equipped with foam capabilities. This unit tows the trailer with the dozer/tractor plow unit.

These units are of limited availability in the commercial market. What are available are very expensive. On the average, the LeMay Center assembles 3-4 units annually.

A tandem axle, tilt bed trailer is pulled by the Type 4 engines and used to transport the dozer/tractor-plow unit.

Dozer/tractor with fire plow: A bulldozer-based unit equipped for forestry work (limb risers, brush guards etc.) with a double moldboard plow mounted on the rear. This is used to make a mineral soil fire break about seven feet wide. The unit also carries 150 gallons of water and a pump for operator protection through a cab-mounted shower system. The water is also used for spot fires and mop up operations.

The fire plows being used are a Wisconsin design that has evolved over the past 70 years. Commercially made plows have been tried and do not work well in Wisconsin's heavy soils and rocky terrain. On the average, the LeMay Center assembles 2-4 units annually.