May 22, 2017 — CUERO, Texas Cuero Volunteer Fire Department was the recipient of a $200,000 grant
from Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The department used
the funding to purchase a 2017 large brush truck that has 4-wheel-drive, automatic transmission, remote front
deck gun and bumper sprayers.
The primary purpose of a brush truck is to fight wildland or grass fires. This truck has an 800-gallon water tank,
foam capability and lighter red hose line that will allow for a fast attack and quickly get an upper hand on a fire.
Foam capability is important because foam is used to help cool the fire and coat the fuel, preventing contact
with oxygen. The firefighter spreads a blanket of foam on the area involved, smothering the fire and decreasing
the possibility of it reigniting.
The fire department has an 800-square-mile protection area with farmland, ranchland, oil and gas sites, U.S.
Highways 87, 77 and 183.
“Cuero VFD is responsible for a large part of the fire protection for Dewitt County,” said Cuero VFD Fire Chief
Robert Smith. “This new truck’s primary use will be for grass fire response. The structure of our county has
changed, with fewer ranchers grazing cattle, the risk of fires has amplified. Grassy pastures that were once
grazed are left to grow tall, increasing the potential for grass fires.”
The new tender has gone into service and has already been used in response to two fires along U.S. Highway 87
“The department is pleased to have an updated truck where most everything can be operated from inside the
cab,” said Smith. “It helps to increase the safety and efficiency of our operations.”
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.