7109.19_20
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
SUPERIOR NF (REGION 9)
DULUTH, MN
FSH 7109.19 – FLEET EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 20 – EQUIPMENT UTILIZATION
Supplement No.: R9 Superior 7109.19-2007-3
Effective Date: July 18, 2007
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: JAMES W. SANDERS
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 7/3/2007
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook number and
calendar year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last supplement to
this manual was 7109.19-2007-2 to Chapter 10.
New Document
R9 Superior 7109.19-2007-3
2 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
None
0 Page
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
21
Provides direction on Fleet Equipment Utilization.
21.12 Designates vehicles exempt from 80% utilization levels
R9 SUPERIOR SUPPLEMENT 7109.19-2007-3
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 18, 2007
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
7109.19_20
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FSH 7109.19 – FLEET EQUIPMENT MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 20 – EQUIPMENT UTILIZATION
21 – FLEET EQUIPMENT UTILIZATION
Units fleet should be of a size that promotes good utilization; per mile maintenance costs
generally decrease with increased use.
Replaced equipment (known as holdovers), should be used whenever possible for special
programs and peak work periods. Holdovers are generally allowed from the time the equipment
is replaced until October 1 of the year after the equipment is replaced. The equipment must be in
safe operating condition, and any anticipated repairs cannot exceed 50% of the Fixed Ownership
Rate (FOR) during the holdover period.
Suggestions for improving fleet utilization include:
1. Ensure employees are aware of why proper utilization is necessary.
2. Ensure the planning and assignments of vehicles is done properly. Work Plans and/or
the Fleet Equipment Budget and Financial Plan (Form 6500-111) are good sources to estimate
utilization.
3. Ensure proper dispatching of vehicles is followed.
4. Use a “Vehicle Sign Out Log” for employees to schedule use of a vehicle, include
those vehicles assigned to specific individuals. Any vehicle not signed out by a specified time
(as established by the unit’s leadership) should be made available to other unit employees. The
logs should be maintained in a file under file code, 7130-3. These logs shall be used to perform
quarterly and annual historical use/utilization analyzes.
21.12 – Utilization Standards and Studies
1. Unless otherwise exempted, the target for utilization for all forest vehicles (owned,
leased, rented, mainstream, holdover, etc.) is 80%.
2. Vehicles exempted from 80%-use levels are district Type-6 fire engines, Forest FMO
vehicle, East & West Zone FMO vehicles, MIFC’s Cube Van, districts’ FMO vehicle, law
enforcement vehicles, and ISO IRM Radio vehicles.