CRANDALL, Texas — Crandall Volunteer Fire Department purchased a 2017 Ford F550 truck chassis with a grant
from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
“This new custom-built chassis allowed the department to have an updated brush truck that has already been out on several grass fire calls,” said Crandall Volunteer Fire Department Firefighter Corbin McCloud. “We have two older brush trucks, but this new one has many upgrades and will be our first out truck when a call comes in. It is very dependable and has 4-wheel drive, axle upgrades, Super Single tires, and good height for off-road response; all of these features make it the ultimate firefighting apparatus when responding to fires in the type of countryside that we have in our 56-square-mile protection area.”
It is custom-built to fill the need as a quick-attack firefighting machine, crucial when responding in tight terrain or
where roads are unstable or nonexistent in the wildland-urban interface. It is a heavier Type III wildland engine that has an extended cab capable of carrying three firefighters, a slip-on unit with a 500-gallon water tank and 20-gallon foam tank, 400-feet of wildland quick deployment line, air packs and firefighting tools.
A slip-on unit is a complete self-contained firefighting system designed for a pick-up truck or custom built vehicle
platform.
According to McCloud, because of the off-road capability it can also shuttle water to other trucks deployed to the rural areas and it can be used to fight structure fires or respond to medical calls.
“The department received special training on the use of the truck’s instruments and systems,” said McCloud. “The training covered everything from instruments inside the cab to the axles.”
Crandall VFD has been providing fire service to their area since 1949, and they are always looking for ways to
advance and improve their capabilities when serving their community and mutual aid district.
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.