MORAN, Texas –The City of Moran Volunteer Fire Department converted a 2.5-ton Stewart Stevenson into a
firefighting machine. The truck is awarded through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program
with a $20,000 grant for a slip-on unit being awarded through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
Program both programs are administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
“We transformed this excess military vehicle for the sole purpose of wildland firefighting, but it has proven to
be a multipurpose apparatus that is also valuable for house fires and severe weather rescues,” said City Mayor
and Moran VFD Fire Chief Steven Taggart. “We have used the truck on several calls, including a mobile home
fire and a fire on Greer Mountain that was caused by an electrical line.”
One of the stipulations for receiving the truck is to paint it a non-military color within 180 days of acquisition.
Fire Chief Taggart painted the truck, and an outside source added a slip-on unit with a 500-gallon water tank.
“Obtaining these vehicles is such a benefit to volunteer fire departments,” said Texas A&M Forest Service
Regional Fire Coordinator Tyler Brown. “We work very closely with the department to fight wildfires in the
area, and by facilitating upgrades and additions to their fleet, especially an increase in water capacity, we are
collectively able to fight fire more effectively.”
The department depends on local participation in their fund-raising efforts to help with their daily operating
costs. This alliance between the community and the department helps the volunteers have what they need to protect
and better serve their area.
“We are grateful to our community for their support that helped with the cost of paint for the truck conversion
and then the addition of lights and a radio and also to Texas A&M Forest Service for making these types of
rugged trucks available to volunteer fire departments at no cost other than the conversion,” said Taggart.
The City of Moran Volunteer Fire Department has open enrollment for volunteers.
“As a volunteer department we work as a team to make a difference in our community,” said Taggart. “Anyone
wishing to join the department can leave a message at City Hall, (325) 945-3441.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through various fire department
assistance programs. The Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program launched in Texas in 2005, is
one such program and has released over 800 retired military trucks to Volunteer Fire Departments across the
state. The Agency transports the vehicle from a military installation, performs necessary repairs and delivers it
to the volunteer fire department at no cost to them. The USDA Forest Service oversees the program nationwide
and is the supplier of the excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.