BRYSON, Texas — Bryson Volunteer Fire Department retired an older truck and is in the process of building a
new one equipped with a slip-on unit.
The slip-on unit purchase is possible through the Texas A&M Forest Service. The equipment will give them the
option of using the compressed air foam system to generate foam that is five times more effective than water.
It could mean the difference between a quick extinguishment or a major fire.
“There are 600 people in our direct service area but there are about 2,500 in the whole county. We service the
western half of the county and provide mutual aid to surrounding towns. The CAFS is a definite improvement
over our old unit and will give us an edge for protecting the community from wildland fire and structural fire,”
said Bryson Fire Chief Charles Hauger.
Firefighting equipment is continually being improved for efficiency and safety. The department’s 15 volunteers
will now have the option to use the high-pressure pump system designed for quick knockdown and high
performance.
“In building the capacity for our local departments, we are helping them meet their goals for improvement
and growth; this in turn helps the community that they serve,” said Regional Fire Coordinator Charles Tice.
Volunteer firefighters operate 85 percent of the fire departments in Texas. This year, TFS will pass
approximately $24.3 million along to VFDs across the state. The grant funding will aid them in purchasing
equipment and obtaining vital firefighter training, giving them greater capabilities to protect life and property
in their communities.
“I think it is vital to keep the small departments alive. Without the grants from TFS, they wouldn’t be in
existence, and they wouldn’t have better, up-to-date equipment,” said Hauger.
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.