July 1, 2016 – DODD CITY, Texas – Dodd City Volunteer Fire Department has enhanced its fire service
capabilities with the help of a $19,840 grant administered by the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The grant went toward purchasing a slip-on unit for a recently acquired truck.
“The TFS grant covered the slip-on unit, and our department funds covered the truck,” Dodd City VFD Chief
Charlie Howell said.,
A slip-on unit is designed to enhance any fire department’s firefighting capabilities. The apparatus is built for
the rigors of the fire service and easily mounted in the back of a pick-up or a custom-built bed and is especially
effective in handling wildland fires, off-road grass fires, car fires, and many others.
“The slip-on has a 250-gallon water tank, a 5-gallon foam cell with a 23 horsepower pump,” Howell said.
According to Chief Howell, Dodd City’s response area is 85 square miles of rural farming and ranching lands
which produce crops such as hay, corn, and wheat that can be combustible and prone to fires.
The new truck and slip-on will be used as a first-response vehicle. “It will be able to get out to the fire and begin
suppression while the rest of the crew is bringing the heavier equipment. This is the only unit that we have that
has the foam capabilities,” Howell said.
The firefighting foam is used for fire suppression. Its role is to cool the fire and coat the fuel, helping to control
fuel combustion.
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 VFDs for the acquisition of firefighting
vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry hydrants, computer systems, and firefighter
training.
To learn more about this and other programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, visit http://texasfd.com.