September 13, 2016 — FALFURRIAS, Texas — The Falfurrias Volunteer Fire Department has
enhanced its fire service capabilities with the help of a $16,560 grant administered through the
Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The grant went toward purchasing a new slip-on unit to replace an older one that was converted
fertilizer tank, according to Falfurrias VFD Chief Rubin Ramirez.
A slip-on unit is designed to enhance a fire department’s firefighting capabilities. The apparatus
is built for the rigors of the fire service and is easily mounted in the back of a pick-up truck or a
custom-built bed and is especially effective in handling wildland fires, car fires and others.
The new slip-on has a 350-gallon water tank a 5-gallon foam tank and is lighter than the old
unit. The lighter slip-on unit will decrease the weight on the truck, helping it maneuver the
Brooks County beach-like sand eis asier.
“Our service area has some of the largest ranches in Texas and covers 900 square miles,” said
Ramirez. “The majority of our fires are wildland fires, so the new slip-on unit will be a great
benefit to our department.”
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.