Arrowhead Ranch Estates Volunteer Fire Department received a cost share grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance program. The grant was used to purchase a 2018 International water tender. The tender is replacing an older truck that carried less water.
A tender, also known as a tanker in some regions, is a specialized firefighting apparatus designed to transport water from a water source to the fire.
The tanker has an 1800-gallon water capacity and will be used to shuttle water to wildland and structure fires. Having a larger amount of water available during the initial attack on a fire can help to give the volunteers the upper-hand for a quicker knock-down.
“We will be able to use this tender more aggressively than the truck that it is replacing,” said Arrowhead Ranch Estates VFD Fire Chief Jim McDaniel.” It is customized to fit the needs of our department and will not only shuttle a large volume of water but has substantial storage for firefighter gear.”
The truck will be a great support for the other fleet trucks and will be a benefit in protecting the 300 homes in the department’s protective area.
Arrowhead Ranch Estates Volunteer Fire Department has 17 volunteers and has been serving the community since 1979.
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.