DE KALB, Texas –– With the help of Texas A&M Forest Service and a few local businesses, De Kalb Volunteer Fire
Department now has a service-ready converted military truck to put into use.
The VFD received the truck through the DoD Firefighter Property Program, a program managed nationally by USDA
Forest Service and implemented locally by TFS.
“Water supply is one of our most critical elements when fighting fires outside the city limits,” Fire Chief Robbie
Barrett said. “This truck can haul an extra 2,000 gallons of water, allowing us to double our on-scene water supply
and giving us greater capability to fight rural fires.”
The program provides excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers. Recipients
of this excess property are required to convert the vehicle into a service-ready unit within 180 days of acquisition.
“Ledwell Incorporated in Texarkana installed the 2,000-gallon tank and pump system, and TPS (Truck Pro Systems),
a local business here in De Kalb, donated all the paint and labor to convert the truck to what we have today,”
Barrett said. “I am very thankful for those companies, along with members of our fire department who donated
their time and money to make this possible.”
Launched in 2005, this program has released over 300 retired military trucks to VFDs across the state to help them
better protect lives and property.
“The FFP Program, the HB 2604 Program, and all the other programs that Texas A&M Forest Service offers are
extremely beneficial for the small VFDs in Texas,” Barrett said. “We wouldn’t be able to function without their
help.”
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.