The Northeast Fire Cache (NEK) is located in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and is jointly operated by the US Forest Service and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.
The Cache serves the federal and state agencies in the 20 northeastern states. It is one of sixteen caches in the National Incident Support Cache System. Supplies and equipment are shared among the National Incident Support Caches as needed depending on incident activity.
The mission of the NEK is to stock, issue, and refurbish, store and maintain incident support equipment and supplies for the Eastern geographical area. It provides equipment and supplies to incidents administered by federal and state agencies and refurbishing and restocking services to Wildland Fire Agencies when determined to be cost effective by the receiving unit.
Symbols Program
The National Symbols Cache is co-located with the Northeast Interagency Fire Cache. The Symbols Cache is the distribution center for Smokey Bear, Woodsy Owl and Fire Education Program materials. Other programs managed by the Cache include the Junior Forest Ranger and Junior Snow Ranger Programs.
The Cache stocks nearly 90 items used for promoting wildland fire prevention, conservation education and general fire education. Shipments are made to all 50 states, Puerto Rico, South Pacific Islands and Canada.
The Symbols Cache also stocks fulfillment items for the Junior Forest Ranger and Junior Snow Ranger Programs and works with the local Occupational Development Center for processing the requests and distribution.