Needville Fire Department received a cost share grant from the Texas A&M Forest
Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
Crucial rescue tools including ropes, harness, stokes basket for victim transport and air bags for vehicle
stabilization were purchased with the grant funds.
Needville Fire Department volunteers operate out of two stations that are 22 miles apart. The first station is in
the city limits and the second is just outside the Brazos Bend State Park where it isn’t uncommon for the
Needville Fire Department to receive rescue calls for medical emergencies.
“The new rescue equipment will be housed at our second fire station,” said Needville Fire Department Chief
Keith Thumann. “This grant allowed us to complete our cache of much needed equipment. We will no longer
have to share one set of tools between the two stations which means we can readily respond anywhere.”
The firefighters have received extensive training on various types of rescues, preparing them for response in the
rural and urban area.
“Both of our stations now have identical tools and we are capable of responding to emergencies throughout our
178-square-mile service area,” said Thumann. “Some of our past calls included a grain bin and manhole
entrapment, falls from steep creek banks or observation towers and vehicle accidents.”
According to Thumann the department is appreciative of receiving the grant and values the grant opportunities
that Texas A&M Forest Service has for training, equipment and firefighting apparatus.
Needville Fire Department has been serving their community and surrounding area since 1947. They have open
enrollment for any committed individual who would like to volunteer as a firefighter and give back to their
community. An application may be picked up at the weekly meeting held Tuesday evenings at 7:30 p.m., at the
fire station at 3323 Richmond Street in Needville.
The community may help the department by attending the August 20, 2017 fund raiser. The Needville
firefighters will be hosting their Annual Bar-B-Q with live and silent auctions and a raffle. The activities start at
11a.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall at 13631 State Highway 36 in Needville.
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 Volunteer Fire Departments 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.