COLORADO, Texas — Colorado City Volunteer Fire Department brings their firefighting capacity to a new
level thanks to a cost share grant through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department
Assistant Program.
“This truck is bigger, better, and tougher than anything our department has ever had,” said Tom Carlock, first
assistant fire chief. “The truck has responded to four calls with one being a fiery vehicle pileup. The foam
system was amazing. It helped to smother the fire by depriving it of the oxygen and made quick work of
extinguishing the fires.”
A Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS) is used in firefighting to deliver fire retardant foam to extinguish a
fire or protect unburned areas. The foam increases the effectiveness of water and can quickly extinguish a fire to
limit damage.
The Colorado City VFD members were trained to become familiar with the operation of the 800-gallon capacity
truck, front bumper water monitor, and specialized spray nozzles.
Fire Chief Rufino Martinez and the 23 volunteer members provide fire service to their community and mutual
aid with the Colorado City Fire Department, and volunteer departments in Westbrook and Loraine.
Colorado City VFD seeks new firefighter volunteers. You can contact a local member for more information.
“If you want to be awakened at two in the morning when it’s freezing cold or respond on hot summer days at
the most inopportune times then join the VFD, but when you consider the satisfaction of helping those in need
and saving lives and property it is priceless and very fulfilling,” said Carlock.
Along with proceeds from a Boer goat cook-off, support from area businesses, city, county, and individuals
helped to fund the department’s cost-share portion of the grant.
“All the volunteers appreciate the great outpouring of support locally and also the grant programs that are
available through Texas A&M Forest Service,” said Carlock. “It would be hard to have the department that we
have without them.”
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.