A vision that started nearly four years ago is now complete thanks to a grant that
allowed the Eastland Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a foam system to better help fight fires.
“We bought a fire truck a few years ago to start building it so that we could hold a rowe cast system,” said
David Branch, Eastland VFD lieutenant. “But because it was so expensive we had to put it off for a few
years.”
Over $35,000 in funds were provided by a cost-share grant administered through Texas A&M Forest
Service which covered 90 percent of the $38,000 price tag.
The rowe cast system consists of compressed air that allows a precise amount of air, foam and water to
mix and produce a higher quality of foam. The foam produced smothers and absorbs more heat allowing
it to cool affected areas faster.
“Back in 2006 we had a fire that burned nearly 40,000 acres and a big reason was because the water
used would evaporate too quickly to allow us to contain the fire. Now that we have this new capability to
create better foam we know this will be an added benefit to our firefighting efforts,” said Branch.
The TFS Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Grant Program is important because VFDs respond
to 90 percent of wildfires in Texas, and do it with little to no money and staff made up primarily of
volunteers.
The Eastland VFD award is among the $12.8 million passed through TFS to Texas volunteer fire
departments each year.
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.