August 8, 2016 — CAMERON, Texas — Cameron Volunteer Fire Department recently received aid from two
assistance programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
The department received an excess military vehicle, a 1998 Steward and Stevenson M1078 two-and-a-half ton
truck from the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program, which Texas A&M Forest Service
administers.
Cameron volunteers had 180 days to convert the military truck into a service-ready firefighting apparatus.
“When we received the truck , we had it painted at a local body shop,” said Cameron VFD Fire Chief Henry
Horelica.
In addition to the military truck, the department also received a grant to fund a slip-on unit for the back of the
truck.
A slip-on unit is designed to become a fast initial-attack fire-fighting unit; durable, flexible and highly mobile.
It is used in wildland fire-fighting as well as structure and auto fires and is a complete, self-contained fire-fighting apparatus designed for a pick-up truck or custom-built vehicle platform.
“With this slip-on unit, the truck now has a 500-gallon water tank, hose reel, pump, ladders, rails, light bar and
siren,” explained Chief Horelica.
Cameron VFD serves approximately 336 square miles of rural farmland, wooded areas, and fine, sandy soil.
“The truck will be used primarily for grass and brush fires,” said Horelica. “The four-wheel drive will be a great
benefit when responding to fires in our terrain.”
Chief Horelica expects the truck to be useful for high-water rescues as well.
“This truck will be an asset because it will be able to go places that we cannot take our other trucks.”
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.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.