BAIRD, Texas –– A $200,000 grant administered by Texas A&M Forest Service enabled Baird Volunteer
Fire Department to purchase a new brush truck.
The department previously relied on trucks built using parts from surplus properties.
“We couldn’t afford to buy a truck like this,” Fire Chief Jeff Barton said. “We needed a quicker first
response truck.”
The new brush truck gives BVFD several added capabilities that their older trucks did not offer.
“It has a bigger pump system and foam, both of which our older brush trucks didn’t have,” Barton said.
“It also enables us to get to the scene quicker. We are able to handle more types of fires with this truck
too, such as vehicle fires, grass fires and structure fires. It also has room to hold a lot more equipment.”
Over 85% of fire departments in the state of Texas are either completely or mostly operated by
volunteers. 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.
“With this grant, Baird Volunteer Fire Department was able to add a brand new truck to a fleet of older
trucks that will better their capabilities in serving both their county and community,” Regional Fire
Coordinator Charles Tice said.
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.