Aug. 9, 2017 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas volunteer
fire departments received more than $6 million in grants Wednesday through the
Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
Program.
In the last of two funding meetings for the fiscal year, the
RVFDAP awarded 62 grants to 59 volunteer fire departments for firefighting
vehicles, training and safety equipment.
“Volunteer fire departments make a tremendous difference all
across this great state in our shared mission to protect life and property,” said
Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity Building Department Head Jason
Keiningham. “We must do whatever it takes to help them succeed.”
Texas A&M Forest Service has administered the grant
program under the Texas Legislature since 2002, having awarded 1,768 fire
engines, 69,243 pieces of protective clothing and 73,944 training tuitions since
the program’s inception.
Although over $24 million has been awarded to Texas fire
departments this year, the need for training, safety, equipment and vehicles is
great, leaving over $193 million in requests outstanding.
In Texas, local fire departments are the first line of
defense against disaster and more than 85 percent of our fire departments are
volunteer. State funding helps maintain well-trained, safe and equipped
firefighters.
“We are extremely excited, to receive a grant for a tender,”
said Gatesville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Billy Vaden. “We will be better
prepared to fight fires with this tender.”
The RVFDAP is one way Texas A&M Forest Service helps
build the capacity of local fire departments.
The next funding meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1, 2017.
Established by the 77th Texas Legislature,
RVFDAP, commonly known as House Bill 2604, provides funding to eligible volunteer
fire departments. This grant program allows Texas A&M Forest Service to
build capacity of Texas communities by providing funds to purchase life-saving
equipment and training, including firefighter protective clothing, rescue
equipment, dry-hydrants and firefighting vehicles.
A complete list of awards and information about the program
can be found by visiting www.texasfd.com.
List of grant awards
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Contacts
Jason Keiningham, Department Head
979-458-7341, jkeiningham@tfs.tamu.edu
Phillip Truitt, Communication Specialist
979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu