ELIASVILLE, Texas –– Eliasville Volunteer Fire Department recently received a retired military vehicle to add to
their fleet through Texas A&M Forest Service as part of the DoD Firefighter Property Program.
“We needed help acquiring equipment that was suitable for heavy brush,” Fire Chief Steve Reger said.
The department applied for the military vehicle to replace a truck whose parts were no longer in production.
Recipients of this excess property are required to convert the vehicle into a service-ready unit within 180 days
of acquisition.
“In order to get the military vehicle converted into a firefighting one, we had to purchase a new tank, pump,
hose with hose reels and nozzles, paint it non-military colors, and add brush rails to it,” Reger said.
Serving 120 square miles of river area, the new vehicle allows the department to cross rough terrain and land
prone to flooding.
The DoD Firefighter Property Program, managed nationwide by the USDA Forest Service, provides excess
military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers. Launched in Texas in 2005, this
program has released over 300 retired military trucks to VFDs across the state to help them better protect
lives and property.
“Similarly to many other VFDs, we are all volunteer and depend on donations to survive,” said Reger. “It is
great that we have a program that can help get us the vehicles we need to answer emergencies.”
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.