June 28, 2017 — CISCO, Texas — Cisco Fire Department purchased a new slip-on unit with a $38,000 cost
share grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The department replaced a 10-year-old unit with one that is enhanced with a Compress Air Foam System
(CAFS).
A CAFS system is used in firefighting to deliver fire retardant foam for the purpose of extinguishing a fire or
protecting unburned areas. The foam system can aid in quickly extinguishing a fire which helps limit the
damage that fires can inflict and helps to increase the effectiveness of the water.
“This slip-on has a 300-gallon water tank and a 10-gallon foam tank,” said Cisco FD Fire Chief Walter
Fairbanks. “The addition of the CAFS will give the firefighters an upper hand when responding to fires in our
298-square-mile protection area. The unit has the potential to stretch our 300 gallons of water to equal the
suppression power of 600 gallons of water. That is important when we are responding to fires in our rural areas.
It will give us the capability for quicker fire containment.”
The slip-on unit’s purpose is fast-attack response for wildland fires. This one has gone into service and has been
used on several calls.
The department has been serving their community and surrounding area since 1881 and was the first fire
department in Eastland County. They have open enrollment for individuals who would like to receive training
and dedicate time to their community. An application may be picked up at the fire station, 411 Conrad Hilton
Blvd. or online https://ciscofd.com/
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 the 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.