East Lake Limestone Volunteer Fire Department recently received a
$13,400 equipment grant from Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
Program.
“This funding was used to add vital pieces to our current hydraulic rescue equipment cache. The grant enabled
us to have a full complement of rescue tools,” said East Lake Limestone VFD Assistant Chief Benny
Shaunfield. “We purchased stabilizing equipment that is crucial for the safety of the responder and the victim.”
The department received air bags, cribbing and stabilizing jacks. All of these tools help to steady an overturned
vehicle and keep it from shifting or rolling when a responder is trying to rescue a person trapped inside.
The volunteers have had several training sessions on proper technique when using the new tools.
“We respond to a number of accidents each year on State Highway 164, F.M. 39 and U.S. Highway 7,” said
Shaunfield. “It will be a great benefit to our community and also travelers for us to have state-of-the-art tools
for a quick extrication in a time when seconds count.”
All of the VFDs in the area have compatible extrication tools so when a mutual aid call goes out there are
usually a dual set of tools that are interchangeable in case there is need for a back-up set of tools.
East Lake Limestone VFD was established in 1986 and the department is always looking for committed people
wanting to give back to the community. Anyone interested in volunteering may call Assistant Chief Shaunfield
at (903) 626-5590.
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.