LINDEN, Texas –- Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department accepted a cost-share grant through the Rural
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. The grant was
used to purchase a slip-on unit that was installed onto a 2013 Stewart Stevenson truck.
“Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s new fire apparatus once served in the military, and this veteran now
has a new mission,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Josh Bardwell. “The
department operates on a limited budget and has fabricated and maintained their own fleet for years so it was a
relatively simple task for them to make this truck a capable emergency response vehicle at minimal cost. From
high water rescues to wildfires, this new addition will enhance the department for years to come.”
The unit has already been used to help fight two wildland fires and will be very useful for structure and car fires
as well.
“Our department is pleased to have received a grant to help complete a much-needed apparatus that has a 1,000
gallon poly water tank and a foam system” said Center Hill VFD Fire Chief Keith Duncan. “The unit has
already been used to help fight two wildland fires.”
The department serves a rural area with homes, structures, timber industry, and ranch land,d so they appreciated
being able to replace a 1987 apparatus that was having mechanical problems.
“In 2011, our department helped battle the Bear Creek Fire that burned over 40,000 acres,” said Duncan.
“Having this slip-on and truck will assist in increasing our capacity if called on again to protect our area in such
a major event.”
Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1990 and has 20 volunteer responders. Anyone
wishing to join the department and donate their time back to the community may contact Fire Chief Keith
Duncan through the Center Hill VFD Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-HillVolunteer-Fire-Department/163242870375097
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.