Thanks in part to a $100,000 grant awarded by Texas A&M Forest Service,
Dickinson Volunteer Fire Department now has a new brush truck to upgrade its capabilities.
The VFD serves Dickinson corporate limits as well as the surrounding unincorporated area,
equating to about 29,000 people and 12-15 square miles of territory.
“We got a brush truck back in the 60s and when it wore out it wasn’t replaced,” Fire Chief Keith
Morgan said. “We had to fight any brush fires by hand or with mutual aid from surrounding
departments.”
The new truck will enhance the department’s ability to fight multiple kinds of fires.
“The truck can actually be unmanned from the inside if need be, it has a remote control nozzle
on the front bumper and a camera to help monitor the situation,” Morgan said. “It will also help
with brush fires and enable us to get into smaller spaces that are narrow or have low-hanging
trees.”
The department relies on programs offered by TFS for many of its needs when funding is not
available, according to Chief Morgan.
“The Rural VFD Grant Program was designed to assist volunteer fire departments like Dickinson
build capacity to meet the needs of their citizens and the entire region,” said Kelly King,
assistant chief at TFS Humble.
Over 85 percent of fire departments in the state of Texas are either completely or mostly operated
by volunteers. TFS passes approximately $12.8 million along to volunteer fire departments across
the state every year, helping them purchase equipment to better protect lives and property.
“We rely a lot on TFS and think they are a great asset to volunteer fire departments across Texas,”
Morgan said. “We really appreciate what they do for us.”
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.