Five Star Volunteer Fire Department added a 2022 Kenworth pumper/tanker that will be the first out apparatus for all Titus County structure fires. The new addition was made possible with a cost share grant received from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
“This new 2,000-gallon water pumper/tanker will help our department provide water support county wide,” said Five Star VFD Fire Chief Lee Alsup. “Texas A&M Forest Service has gradually increased firefighting capacity in Titus County by awarding various trucks to the five volunteer fire departments that provide fire service.”
Five Star Volunteer Fire Department receives a variety of response calls.
“Five Star VFD covers approximatively 60 square miles in Titus County, not including calls for mutual aid outside of their coverage area,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Cody Mayo. “With this new tender they will be able to respond to many different types of emergency response calls including wildfires, structure fires and vehicle accidents.”
The new apparatus can carry a variety of firefighting equipment.
“We designed this apparatus with a lot of storage area that will house a 2,000-gallon drop tank, portable pump, propak foam system and other firefighting equipment,” said Alsup. “It also has a dry side storage with internal ladder racks.”
The new apparatus will help response time.
“The truck has a front bumper remote controlled monitor that will allow a sole firefighter to respond and begin fighting a fire, cutting initial attack time.” said Alsup.
The cost share portion for the grant was supplemented by local authority.
“We appreciate the grant opportunity through Texas A&M Forest Service and also the support of Titus County Commissioners that helped to complete the cost share portion of the apparatus purchase and our community for helping to meet the daily operational needs of the department,” said Alsup.
Five Star Volunteer Fire Department has served their community since 1990 and have open enrollment for volunteers. Anyone wishing to apply to any of the county fire departments may pick up an application between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Central Fire Station at 728 E. Ferguson Road.
Texas A&M Forest Service is an agency operating within the Texas A&M University System and as the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administrator is committed to protecting lives, property and natural resources. The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program is funded by Texas State Legislature and provides cost share 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.