ROUND MOUNTAIN, Texas — Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department increased their firefighting
capacity by adding a 2019 large brush truck thanks to a cost share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
The brush truck is equipped with a 1,100-gallon water tank, a 10-gallon foam tank, front bumper sprayers, and
monitor.
“The truck is designed for a quick attack,” said Round Mountain VFD President Richard Stumpf. “The pump
and sprayers can be activated from inside the truck, enabling us to start the knock-down immediately upon
arrival.”
According the Stumpf their service area was subjected to numerous wildland fires in 2018. One particular fire,
the Smith West Fire, burned for a week and a half, engulfing 775 acres. Several departments and crews,
including Texas A&M Forest Service,e responded with assistance.
“The Smith West fire was fanned by 15-mile-per-hour winds that carried the flames quickly,” said Stumpf. “By
the time we arrived and set up to start fighting the fire, it jumped the road and was well on its way past barbed
wire fencing and into a heavy growth of cedar trees, places our previous truck could not reach. This new truck
will have no problem attacking that kind of fire since it has a stronger pumping system and 4-wheel-drive.”
Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department is no stranger to wildland firefighting. They have been serving
their community and a 252-square-mile area of ranches and cattle country since 1989. The department
appreciates having this new firefighting apparatus to help increase their capacity.
“We want to thank everyone for their support that made this purchase possible,” said Stumpf. “Our community
has been extremely generous with their time, emotional support, at-the-scene hands-on support, and donations.
We also appreciate our local ESD and Texas A&M Forest Service for their role in making this purchase
possible.”
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 Texas State Legislature and administered by
Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural Volunteer Fire Departments 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.