October 4, 2016 — PALESTINE, Texas — Fire service capabilities in Anderson County have improved,
courtesy of a $19,800 grant awarded to 84 East Volunteer Fire Department through Texas A&M Forest Service’s
Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The VFD used the grant to purchase a slip-on unit for an existing truck.
A slip-on unit is designed to become a fast initial-attack firefighting unit. It is used in wildland firefighting as
well as structure and auto fires and is a complete self-contained firefighting apparatus designed for a pickup
truck or custom-built vehicle platform.
“This new slip-on unit is replacing an old poly tank that held 220 gallons of water and didn’t have foam
capability,” said 84 East VFD Chief Alan Fox.
“We put the new unit onto a truck that we received a few years ago through the Texas A&M Forest Service’s
Helping Hands Program. Deer Park VFD donated it to Helping Hands, and it was passed on to us,” Fox said.
The new slip-on has a 250-gallon water tank and a 3.5-gallon foam tank.
Chief Fox was thankful for the grant and other programs Texas A&M Forest Service offers.
“The grant programs are really a great benefit to the volunteer fire departments. The Helping Hands Program is
a program where fire departments can donate their used equipment, and it is passed on to volunteer departments.
We have received bunker gear, wildland gear, and wildland boots through that program.”
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 the 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.
To learn more about this and other programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, visit http://texasfd.com.