2604 VFD received a $76,600 grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The grant was used to help purchase a large truck chassis that the department equipped with a 1,100-gallon water tank.
“We are happy to receive this grant which helped our department replace a 1986 truck that continually needed repairs,” said 2604 VFD Fire Chief Robert Palasota. “It will be used as a tanker and mini pumper. This truck is extremely important in helping to have water readily available when needed since our protection area doesn’t have fire hydrants and we depend on Lake Whitney as our water source.”
The department had an arrow traffic board added to the back of the truck so it can be used not only to carry a large amount of water but for traffic control, creating a multiuse apparatus. The volunteers participated in a day of special training to become familiar with the operations of the apparatus, which is now in service. The 2604 VFD’s dedicated volunteers have been serving their community since 1977. Anyone wanting to volunteer, give back to the community and commit time to training and service may pick up an application at the department’s monthly meeting held the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m.. at 319 FM 2604, Whitney, Texas.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cos -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.