CRYSTAL CITY, Texas — Crystal City Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a $200,000 grant from the
Texas A&M Forest Service to aid in purchasing a new tanker.
The tanker was purchased through the Rural VFD Assistance Program, one of the many programs that
TFS offers to help improve and build upon the capacity of Texas VFDs.
“Before getting this tanker, the newest truck we had was 20 years old,” Crystal City VFD Fire Chief John
Camarillo said. “We also used surplus military tankers.”
Adding the tanker to their fleet will give the department needed resources for fighting fires.
“The tanker will give us the ability to pump more water,” Camarillo said. “It will increase our staying power
when fighting fires, especially grass fires. It will also help ensure the safety of our fire fighters. It is a
tremendous addition to our fleet.”
Current conditions in South Texas made upgrading to the tanker a pivotal move for this department,
according to TFS Regional Fire Coordinator Garry Barney.
“The drought conditions have really taken a toll on the water supplies in the region,” Barney said. “This
tanker will allow them to have a continuous water source on the scene for initial attack.”
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.
To learn more about this program, visit: http://texasfd.com.