Texas A&M Forest Service awarded the Bay City Volunteer Fire Department a
$100,000 grant to help them purchase a new brush truck to add to their aging fleet.
“We were previously operating with two 1-ton pickups with skid units on the back, but they were both
getting old and worn out,” Fire Chief James Svetlik said. “This grant came at a really good time for us.”
With limited funds coming in and high demand for fire protection, the cost-share grant was the only way to
get this much needed truck, according to Svetlik.
“Before, if we had two situations to cover we had the manpower but not the equipment,” Svetlik said.
“Now we have the equipment to cover our district and provide mutual aid to other areas.”
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.
“This VFD is a great group of hardworking people,” Regional Fire Coordinator Kelly King said. “They are
very active in their community. This new truck will help them with the wildland and urban interface issues
in Matagorda County.”
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.