July 1, 2016 — EDOM, Texas — Edom Volunteer Fire Department recently received aid from two different
assistance programs administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
The department received an excess military vehicle, a 2008 Oshkosh M978A HEMTT tanker, from the
Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program.
Edom volunteers had 180 days to convert the five-ton military truck into a service-ready water tender that will
give their department greater capacity to protect their rural areas where water may not be accessible.
In addition to the military truck, the department also received an $18,000 cost share grant through the Rural
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
A slip-on unit is designed to become a fast initial-attack firefighting unit and to enhance a fire department’s
firefighting capabilities. It is used in wildland firefighting as well as structure and vehicle fires and is a
complete self-contained firefighting apparatus designed for pick-up or custom-built vehicle platforms.
“This slip-on is replacing an older unit we had on a 1982 model truck,” Edom VFD Chief Ed Wood said. “The
the older unit did not have foam capabilities. This unit will be beneficial to have since it has a 40-gallon foam cell
and a 250-gallon water tank. The foam will smother the heat source and not allow the fire to start up again.”
The increased reliability of the new slip-on unit and truck will help to decrease the department’s response time
and allow for faster fire control, according to Wood.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property. For more information on programs
offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.