MULLIN, Texas –– Texas A&M Forest Service recently awarded Mullin Volunteer Fire Department an $11,600
grant to help them purchase a new slip-on unit.
“Where we are located, there is a water problem,” Fire Chief Bud West said. “We have to use a well or tank for
water and they are not always available in the open country, so water becomes a very precious commodity.
About 90 percent of our fires are grass fires, so the new 1,400-gallon tank gives us the ability to stay and fight
the fires longer.”
The VFD serves around 750 square miles of rural territory, along with providing mutual aid to two surrounding
counties.
“[This unit] will help their department tremendously with response to structure and wildland fires in their
response area,” Regional Fire Coordinator Mitchell LaMonte said.
Over 85 percent of fire departments in the state of Texas are either completely or mostly operated by
volunteers. TFS passes approximately $12.8 million along to volunteer fire departments across the state every
year, helping them purchase equipment to better protect lives and property.
“The grant programs through TFS are a lifesaver to the smaller volunteer fire departments,” West said. “Most of
them couldn’t have the equipment that they have without the benefit of the grants.”
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.