Thanks to a $200,000 cost share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, Brock-Dennis Volunteer Fire Department enhanced their fleet with a custom built tender. The grant program is administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This new tender/pumper has a 1,000-gallon water tank that will increase our water capacity,” said Fire Chief Travis Scrimshire. “It can also carry five firefighters and diverse firefighting and rescue tools.”
According to Scrimshire the apparatus will allow for faster response and give greater firefighting power for a quicker knock-down, and is safer than the older truck it is replacing.
Brock-Dennis Volunteer Fire Department serves their immediate community and a 100-square-mile mutual aid area.
“This new apparatus is designed with a dual purpose in mind,” said Travis Sagebiel, Texas A&M Forest Service Resource Specialist. “It will be an asset to everyone in the Brock-Dennis VFD service area since it will be used for firefighting and rescue operations.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost share program funded by Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides 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.