November 14, 2016 — ITASCA, Texas — Texas A&M Forest Service recently awarded a $41,355 grant to
the City Itasca Volunteer Fire Department for a new brush truck through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department
Assistance Program.
The truck, a 2016 Ford F-450 Super Duty four-wheel drive, is a replacement for an older truck that was past the
point of repair.
“The new truck has all of the modern updates and four-wheel drive, which is important when trying to get to
fires in our rural community,” said City of Itasca Volunteer Fire Department Chief Cameron Offutt. “We have
added a slip-on unit to the chassis which gives it the capability to be used to respond to wildland fires. The slip
on has a 400-gallon water tank and a 10-gallon foam cell, which will be especially beneficial as it will help to
shorten our time to extinguish fires.”
Preparing the truck for service was a community effort, as local businesses and citizens donated their time and
the necessary parts.
“Having this type of truck available will help Itasca VFD protect life and property in their community,” said
Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Matthew Schlaefer. “The department is ready to put the
truck into service and begin training with it.” “They are very appreciative of the assistance and grants they have
received.”
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 VFDs 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.