It has been a tough summer around the world with wildfires, earthquakes, flooding and hurricanes creating havoc and heartache on nearly every continent. When the going gets tough, one of the most welcome sights these days is a 53-ft. truck trailer from Western Shelter Systems.
The company’s Mobile Response Trailer System (MRTS) contains at least six immediately deployable shelters, providing at least 3,826 sq. ft. of interconnected, environmentally secure workspace. For a field hospital, emergency operations center or staff billeting, these uniquely equipped trailers are designed to have first responders up and working in record time.
“We have been busy lately with supplying sleeping shelters for firefighters battling the California wildfires,” said Peter Powell, marketing director for Western Shelter Systems. “Some of our customers also responded to the recent earthquake in China and will be needing new equipment because they generally leave their equipment behind for the host country to continue to use.”
The set-up of a Shelter System is something to see, according to Powell. Each shelter is stored in its own wheeled case and is off-loaded by hand via the trailer’s custom lift-gate. Three or four people can erect the first 19’ x 35’ x 11’ high shelter and have it operational within 45 minutes, without the use of tools, lift trucks or even ladders. Each shelter includes its own integrated floor, roof and wall insulation, double doors, lighting, water distribution system, hygiene support and sanitation systems.
The entire complex of interconnecting shelters is supported by a hi-amp, electrical distribution system, powered by a trailer-mounted 80kW Ultra-Silent diesel generator, complete with enough diesel onboard to permit 72-hours of operation. When the trailer is empty, it can be deployed as a command center as soon as the generator is started.
“Most of our sales go to agencies and organizations that buy in advance, because they never know when a disaster will strike,” said Powell. “Plus, we could never afford to keep enough inventory in stock to adequately respond to a disaster's immediate demand.”
For fleets that need highly customized trailers, the Oregon business also has a trailer upfitting operation called Western Shelter Mobility Systems.
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