Fire season is just around the corner, and everyone is preparing to deploy their shelters across the United States. An effective fire camp needs many components, and keeping track of it can get complicated. Western Shelter doesn’t just sell shelter tents in our catalog. We are a complete solutions provider for everything you need for your base camp. With our over thirty years of experience, we have created a guide to the shelter systems and accessories you should consider this upcoming fire season.
Shelter Systems:
GateKeeper 1935
The GateKeeper is our best-selling product for a reason. Since our inception in 1988, the GateKeeper has housed emergency service personnel, protecting them from the harshest environments imaginable. Our end users love the durability and stability of the shelter to survive multiple strike cycles season after season.
The GK1935 is the perfect size for a variety of uses. However, we do offer three other variations that you can view here. In particular, the GK1935 only takes four people to deploy in 35 minutes. It’s the optimal way to get your base camp up and running fast and efficiently.
A key component we wanted to add to the shelter is that it doesn’t take any tools to deploy. That includes no ladders either. Doing this simplifies the process and adds a sense of safety to the deployment.
The GateKeeper functions as a standalone product, but it works best when paired with our many accessory systems. These include environmental control units (ECUs), flooring, insulation, lighting, and much more. We will go into more depth on each of these in the rest of the guide.
Mobility Trailers
Trailers provide the excellent benefits of being sturdy in design and mobile for where you want to deploy them. A popular platform in our mobility line, trailer options range from cargo units to full-sized tractor-trailers. Our standard sizes are 18', 20', and 24', but we can customize any trailer from 10' to 53' long to meet any specifications.
Trailers have many uses, but for fire season, we recommend using them for showers, toilets, and laundry. The size of the trailer you get should correlate with the size of your camp and personnel.
We pride ourselves on providing customizable options and solutions to fit your mission. So, whether you need a 32’ trailer with six showers or a 53’ tractor-trailer with 16 showers, we will provide you with the options to create the best mobility for your base camp. To learn more about our mobility trailers, you can click here.
Shelter Ad-Ons:
Vestibule Connectors
The vestibule connector allows for the expansion of GateKeepers, as seen above. The system allows for the unlimited expansion of your base camp and creates one large sheltered environmental system. With sealed vinyl coverings, you know you will be safe when connecting with the vestibule.
Vestibule Entryway
Whether you need a way to seal your entryways or add a mudroom to your fire camp, vestibule entryways are a perfect addition to your main shelter system. The add-on will reduce the amount of air that comes into your shelter lowering energy use and costs.
Shelter Accessories:
Lighting
As part of our shelter systems, we can add lighting for a preferred working environment. Lighting is integral for base camp operations as you won’t be able to work indoors during the night or in cloudy conditions. Windows can only do so much, so you need the extra light to operate at your full capacity.
LED lighting is a great way to keep your shelters out of the dark with its versatile offering and lightweight design. These lights contain hanging straps for easy mounting that don’t require any tools for deployment. If LED lighting is not what you're looking for, you can view our other lighting options here.
Electrical Distribution
For any mobile command center, you need electrical distribution to power it. Without it, most of your facilities won’t operate as they should, and you can’t afford that kind of mistake. The team depends on electricity to stay safe, and using Western Shelter’s electrical distribution system is a way to do that.
We offer a variety of electrical generators to power your facilities that you can view here. The spider box provides an economic and effective option for your facility, and our rubber boxes are great for surviving the harsh elements you may encounter. Even our power panels provide distribution from 50 to 1200 amps.
We want to note that generators currently have longer lead times than usual due to international demand. The best way to get around this is to order early and get on the waitlist as soon as possible. We’d be happy to help you get started. All you have to do is click here to learn more.
Climate Control: Environmental Control Units (ECUs)
Having comfortable living conditions in the field can make the difference between high-quality recovery and extreme fatigue. Our Environmental Control Units (ECUs) create habitable environments for your shelter systems to provide the best areas of rest and operation imaginable. Even in the extreme heat of summer, our ECUs will keep you nice and cool.
We pride ourselves in providing climate control that lasts season after season. Our advanced systems keep you safe, and you can worry less about repairs and replacements for each of your shelter systems. If you want to learn more about which ECU is best for you, you can click here.
Insulation
ECUs are of little benefit without the necessary insulation that goes along with them. You want to keep the cool air in and the heat out. Insulation is the way to accomplish this. In addition, good insulation prevents dew from forming on the shelters by keeping temperatures at or under the dew point temperature.
With soundproof benefits to go along with it, insulation is a must-have for any fire camp. Good insulation combined with a high-quality ECU will keep your fire camp safe and comfortable this season. You can learn more about our insulation by clicking here.
Billeting
When out in the wilderness, you need a comfortable place to sleep and recover so you can tackle each day with energy and a clear mind. Bunk beds are an optimal way to accomplish this since more people can fit into one area.
Our bunk beds are rated for 900 lbs. (450 lbs. per level) giving you a sturdy option you can rely on. Comfort, mesh surface of the bed conforms to the body to create a comfortable sleeping pocket for each individual. If you want other options, we have Disc-O beds which can deploy quickly and without tools. To learn more about which type of billeting is right for you, click here.
Shelter Flooring
Quality flooring keeps your shelter systems clean and in good condition for operations and performance. In this case, our modular flooring works well for vestibule systems and provides a sturdy flooring option with both 1’’ and 2’’ thicknesses.
Even though we recommend our modular flooring option, we have additional shelter flooring capabilities and even custom options that could benefit your mission and shelter system performance. To learn more about how we can help you, click here.
Workstation Desks
Our workstation desks offer great capabilities for office work and work well for mobile command centers while out in the field. Our rapid deployment makes them up and running in no time, integrating directly into the walls of the shelter.
The desk can hold up to 50 lbs, and each shelf can hold 25 lbs. We offer customizable options for these desks, but you will find that any desk you decide to invest in will result in an upgraded working environment. Click here to learn more about our workstation desks and other shelter add-ons.
Other Fire Camp Necessities:
Emergency Safety Kits
Always prepare for emergencies to occur. Our emergency safety kits are essential for any fire base of operations. Our kits contain a lit exit sign, a smoke carbon monoxide detector, and an ABC-rated fire extinguisher. It's what you need to keep yourself safe during fire season.
All of these supplies come in a case ready for transport and use. Don't wait for the worst-case scenario to occur. Prepare for it. Click here to learn about what our safety kits can do for you.
Water Distribution
The benefits of indoor plumbing and running water don’t have to take a back seat when out in the field. Our water distribution systems keep the water running and maintain hygiene for the best experience possible. Bladders, pumps, and hoses are the main things you'll want to look at, and we provide it all.
From all things storing, heating, and distributing, feel confident knowing your base camp will have running water to meet your needs and boost operations effectively for all your personnel. To learn more about our water distribution systems, click here.
For the Benefit of the Camp
Now, you have all the information you’ll need to deploy your fire camp for the upcoming season. Your team and personnel deserve an optimized base camp that aids recovery and strategic planning. Western Shelter is here to help you make that perfect camp and keep you safe season after season. We wish you good luck in the challenges to come and safe operations as you enter fire season.
How do you plan on upgrading your fire camp?
However you want it designed, click here to start your fire camp today.
