With the help of a $14,000 cost-share grant provided by Texas A&M Forest
Service, Erath County Volunteer Fire Rescue purchased its first thermal imaging camera.
“This camera will be used for search and rescue to detect body heat and on fires if you are steamed out
and can’t see the flames, it can detect unsafe conditions,” said Chris Brooks, Erath County VFR fire
coordinator. “Having this camera will greatly increase our ability to efficiently respond to emergencies.” “I
think this grant is amazing,” said Brooks. “It is really mind blowing what we can apply for to help us
become a better department.”
The Erath VFR award is among the $12.8 million passed through TFS to Texas volunteer fire
departments each year.
These grants are important because VFDs respond to 90 percent of wildfires in Texas, and do it with little
to no money and a staff made up primarily of volunteers.
“This program really helps everyone. It saves the department and tax payer’s money by reducing out of
pocket expenditures,” said Keith Vaugh, TFS resource specialist. “I think this grant is one to the best
things that has happened to departments in Texas and I’m glad we’ve been able to offer this assistance
for so many years.”
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.