The Flo Volunteer Fire Department received their first new fire truck thanks to a $100,000 grant
from Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
“This small brush truck is the first new truck our department has ever purchased. It will be a big asset to our
service area when responding to brush fires and auto accidents,” said Fire Chief Troy Pate.
The new truck replaces a 1980 flatbed, one-ton truck and has many new features that will be of great benefit
to the department. One important feature is a 400-gallon water tank with a Compressed Air Foam System.
This system will help double the water capability when fighting wildland fires and will allow the water to last
longer helping to extinguish fires with greater effectiveness.
“This truck will be our first out vehicle. It will help to increase our ability to fight brush fires because it has a foam
unit and can draft water from various sources. It has 4-wheel drive, which will give us greater capability to get out
to the wildland fires,” reports Chief Pate.
According to Regional Fire Coordinator Justin Graf, “Flo VFD has advanced a long way from where it began in 2000. With the new fire station and a new brush truck, they are better equipped to protect and save life and
property in Leon County.”
Volunteer firefighters operate 85 percent of the fire departments in Texas. This year TFS will pass
approximately $24.3 million along to VFDs across the state. The grant funding aids them in purchasing
equipment and obtaining vital firefighter training, giving them greater capabilities to protect life and property
in their communities.
“Texas A&M Forest Service does a wonderful job helping VFDs with grants for trucks, equipment, and
training,” Chief Pate said. “We have received a number of grants that include equipment, bunker gear and a
training library.”
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.