Faught Volunteer Fire Department received a $200,000 cost share grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The funds were used to purchase a 2017 Kenworth water tender.
“This is a new addition to our fleet and fills the need for a mobile water supply necessary to protect our rural areas where there are many homes and structures,” said Faught VFD Fire Chief Rick Browning. “The truck has a 3,000-gallon water tank, 3,000-gallon dump tank and pumps 1,000 gallons of water per minute, which is important when protecting a home from wildfire.”
According to Chief Browning, the truck will serve as a pumper/tender for their 50-square-mile protection area and also be utilized during mutual aid. They serve five departments on first alert and also mutual aid with two Oklahoma departments. With the mixture of open rural areas and residential housing so prominent, the potential for wildfire is great and the devastation can cause increased monetary loss in timber, vegetation and structures. This pumper can be set up near a home or structure and protect it from approaching wildfire.
“It is important to be able to transport water as quickly as possible to help with a quick knock-down of a fire,” said Browning. “Fire can advance rapidly when a department has to wait for water but this truck helps to fill that role because it can carry such a large amount to areas that do not have access to water for firefighting.”
Resource Specialists Craig Frazier and Michael Downs, of the Texas A&M Forest Service, Forest Resource Development Division presented Faught VFD with a live oak sapling as a symbol of partnerships with those who help to protect forests and related natural resources against wildland fires and Regional Fire Coordinator Nathan Carroll presented a big check in recognition of the fire department accepting the grant award to help increase the capacity of their fleet.
The department has been serving their community since 1982 and is glad to have this truck to help complete their fleet for comprehensive protection of the rural, residential and business areas.
“We have been saving for five years to meet the cost share portion of the funds for the truck,” said Browning. “The money was raised through letter mail outs, pancake suppers and other fundraisers. We appreciate our community being very supportive and also appreciate the grant opportunity through Texas A&M Forest Service.”
To learn more about how you can conserve trees, forests and related natural resources and protect your property from wildfire, please contact a local TFS office or visit http://tfsweb.tamu.edu.