April 25, 2016 — FLORENCE, Texas — Thanks to a $118,000 grant from Texas A&M Forest Service, Florence Volunteer Fire Department improved their capacity to serve the community by purchasing a new 2015 Ford F-550 small brush truck equipped with a slip-on unit and a compressed air foam system.
The compressed air foam system delivers fire retardant foam for the purpose of extinguishing a fire or protecting unburned areas when responding to wildland or structure fires.
“During periods of exceptionally high wildfire danger in Williamson County, the truck will be beneficial not only to the community of Florence but for their neighbors as well,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Nicole Lang.
Florence Volunteer Fire Department fire Chief Robert Shelton likes the new truck.
“This new truck is a nice upgrade and is already in service,” said Chief Shelton. The new truck is “replacing an older unit, but the older unit is being kept as a backup.”
Florence Volunteer Fire Department uses the vehicle to respond to brush fires and for medical response.
While serving under Texas A&M AgriLife, Texas A&M Forest Service works with fire service cooperators throughout the state to minimize the loss of life and property in response to wildfires and other all-hazard emergencies. This year, Texas A&M Forest Service is set to award approximately $24.3 million in grants to volunteer fire departments for the purchase of equipment and training.
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.