GORDONVILLE, Texas — The Gordonville Volunteer Fire Department transformed a 2.5-ton Stewart
Stevenson cargo truck into a firefighting machine. The excess military vehicle was awarded through the
Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program (DOD FFP). The Gordonville VFD also accepted a
$20,000 grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. This program currently
provides funding to rural volunteer fire departments for the acquisition of slip-on units for military vehicles,
helping in their conversion into firefighting apparatus. Both programs are administered by Texas A&M Forest
Service.
The truck was painted a nonmilitary color and was modified to hold a slip-on unit with an 800-gallon water tank
and a 30-gallon foam tank.
A slip-on unit is a complete, self-contained firefighting apparatus designed for a pick-up truck or custom-built
vehicle platform. It is intended to become a fast, initial-attack firefighting component used for wildland,
structure, and automobile fires.
“The larger water volume is important in our area since water sources are not always available,” said
Gordonville VFD Fire Chief Doug Adcock. “The addition of foam helps to smother the fire; water by itself will
just run off.”
Gordonville VFD is very pleased to have this easy-driving apparatus in their fleet.
“I would encourage rural VFDs to apply for a DOD FFP vehicle,” said Adcock. “Our department is very
pleased with the quality of the vehicle offered, plus a grant for the slip-on unit. It could be a benefit for any
department to add to their fleet.”
Gordonville Volunteer Fire Department has been serving their community and surrounding area since 1985.
Currently 15 volunteers are on the roster, offering fire service to the 2,000 residents. They welcome any
individual who would like to commit time as a volunteer. Those interested may attend a departmental meeting
held at 6 p.m. every second and fourth Sunday at the Gordonville fire station located at 5 College Street in
Gordonville. An application may be picked up at that time.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through various fire department
assistance programs. The Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program launched in Texas in 2005, is
one such program and has released over 600 retired military trucks to Volunteer Fire Departments across the
state. The Agency transports the vehicle from a military installation, performs necessary repairs and delivers it
to the volunteer fire department at no cost to them. The USDA Forest Service oversees the program nationwide
and is the supplier of the excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.