September 14, 2016 — BIGFOOT, Texas — Bigfoot Volunteer Fire Department was recently awarded a military excess vehicle from the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
The vehicle is a 1991 Bowen-McLaughlin-York M925A2 five-ton transport truck.
“This is the first five-ton federal firefighter property vehicle our department has ever had,” said Bigfoot VFD Chief Mark Leach.
Recipients of this program are required to convert the vehicle into a service-ready unit within 180 days of acquisition.
“We had the truck painted, added a brush guard grill, roll cage, lights, radio, siren box, and a walk-through so the firefighters can fight fires from behind the cab,” said Leach.
In addition to receiving the truck, Bigfoot VFD was also awarded a $20,000 grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to help purchase a slip-on unit for the truck.
A slip-on unit is a complete, self-contained firefighting apparatus designed for a pickup truck or custom-built vehicle platforms. It is intended to become a fast, initial-attack firefighting component used for wildland firefighting, structure and automobile fires.
This particular slip-on has a 1,000-gallon water tank and a 10-gallon foam tank.
According to Leach, the transformed truck will have a large impact on the department’s capabilities as the rural area of Frio County has limited access to fire hydrants.
“The foam system will be a big help with water because the foam is mixed with the water and makes the water go further. It also coats the fuel, helping to extinguish the fire,” Leach explained.
While its primary use will be wildland firefighting, the truck also brings the capability for the department to perform high-water rescues, traffic control, as well as structure and vehicle fires.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through its various fire department assistance programs. For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.