‘Sink Dude’ lends crews at forest fires a clean hand

DORRIS, Ore. — Call him "Sink Dude."

That’s the nickname for Dave Morrison, at least at forest-fire camps throughout the West.

During the summer, Morrison, who also owns the Primo Pizza restaurant in Dorris, hauls self-designed, 16- and 18-foot-long trailers outfitted with rows of sinks used for hand-washing to fire camps.

His official business name is Morrison Handiwash, but his growing fleet of bright red pickup trucks and trailers proudly proclaim the name he’s known by since 1996, Sink Dude.

He earned the moniker at a forest fire near Orleans, Calif., the year he launched his business.

"I just saw the need," Morrison said. "Small little things you and I take for granted are very important to people on the fire lines."

Morrison believes portable hand-washing sinks aren’t just a frill, but a necessity. Over the years, fire management officers have determined that hand-washing facilities are more than an amenity because they significantly improve sanitation.

Morrison devised the idea to create his totally self-contained portable sinks while working as a firefighter at the Lone Pine Fire near Klamath Falls in the 1990s. The camp lacked sinks for washing hands, and the shower was a cold water spigot set inside a canvas tent.

"The system I have is unique in the trade," Morrison said.

Each of the 12 hand-washing basins — six on each side of the trailer — has hot and cold running water. Glass mirrors are above each sink, and each has anti-bacterial soap and hand towels. After firefighters finish washing, an attendant wipes the sink clean.

The trailers are designed to provide sleeping areas for Morrison and his staff.

"We try to provide as much comfort for the firefighters as we can, and they appreciate it," Morrison said.

That appreciation was shown this past fire season.

Most summers, Morrison works 60 or more days a year at forest fires. This past season was slower than normal, with four days at the Clover Creek fire near Keno and 23 days at the Fish Creek Complex fire near Missoula, Mont.

In Montana, the Sink Dude was one of the few contractors "coined" by Task Force Steel Dragon, a detachment of soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas. Morrison was awarded a specially designed coin bearing the unit’s logo. Coins, along with written citations, are sparingly given to selected individuals or businesses for excellence in providing extra services.

Morrison also envisions a new level of services.

His current fleet of three vehicles, trailers and supplies represents an investment of about $200,000. That could climb another $500,000 next year if he is awarded a contract to provide the equipment — including tents, trailers, phones, fixtures, fax machines, shredders, desks, tables, chairs, lighting and a refrigeration unit — for incident command posts.

"Basically, it’s a mobile office for a staff of 60," Morrison said.

Morrison’s hand-washing business receives $1,400 a day for each sink unit, with attendants earning $200 a day.

The command post is potentially far more lucrative — up to $15,000 a day.