April 27, 2017 — CROWELL, Texas — Crowell Volunteer Fire Department received a grant from the Texas
A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The department used the grant to
purchase a 2015 International small brush truck.
“This new truck will be one of our first out vehicles when we receive an emergency call,” said Crowell VFD
Fire Chief Perry Shaw. “It will be a fast, initial-attack firefighting component to be used not only for wildland
fires but structure fires and vehicle accidents.”
The new truck has front bumper remote nozzles, 400-gallon poly water tank, foam capability, and multiple
storage compartments for rescue tools and first responder trauma equipment. The 4-wheel drive will allow the firefighters to traverse the variety of terrain in the department’s 707-square-mile protection area.
“We have quite a diverse terrain here,” said Shaw. “Everything from sandy flat land to hills, canyons and tree
lined areas. Being able to get an updated, fast-attack vehicle into those areas and extinguish the fire quickly is important, and having foam capability will help to conserve water once we are out there. Foam will actually
double the firefighting capacity of the water by reducing surface tension, which will help the water soak in and
extinguish the flames.”
Firefighting foam is used for fire suppression. It cools the fire and coats the fuel, preventing contact with
oxygen, resulting in fire suppression and once extinguished helps prevent reigniting.
“One of the biggest challenges of a small department is raising funds for updated equipment,” said Shaw. “We
are grateful that Texas A&M Forest Service has grant programs available to help small departments like ours.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program, a cost-share program funded by Texas State Legislature and administered by
Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural VFDs for the acquisition of firefighting
vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter
training.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.