June 6, 2016 — CORSICANA, Texas — Mildred Volunteer Fire Department recently purchased a slip-on unit
for one of the department’s wildland firefighting trucks with a grant administered by Texas A&M Forest
Service.
“This slip-on unit will enhance the department’s capabilities by having an updated unit that has performed
above expectations,” Troy Case, Texas A&M Forest Service District Fire Coordinator said.
A slip-on unit is designed to enhance a fire department’s firefighting capabilities. The apparatus is built for the
rigors of the fire service and easily mounted in the back of a pick-up truck or a custom-built bed and is
especially effective in handling wildland, car, and structure fires.
“This slip-on unit is replacing one that the department built in 2008, which had a poly farm water tank and a
separate pump,” Mildred VFD Chief Matt Itschner said.
A drastic improvement compared to the old unit, the new metal slip-on unit has a 325-gallon water tank and a
seven-gallon foam tank. The foam cools the fire and coats the fuel, preventing its contact with oxygen resulting
in suppression of the fire.
“The unit is definitely more reliable and will be our first out for grass fires and vehicle accidents,” Itschner said.
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.