GARRISON, Texas – Garrison Volunteer Fire Department converted an excess military truck into a firefighting
machine by adding a slip-on unit. The truck was awarded through the Department of Defense Firefighter
Property Program and the slip-on unit grant was through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
Program both administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“Our department members did most of the bodywork, and an outside source painted it,” said Garrison VFD Fire
Chief Ricky Colle. “We planned very carefully to permit the addition of two seats in the back that will allow
rescue capabilities for 5 to 6 people.”
The slip-on unit that has a 500-gallon water tank and foam capability will support wildland firefighting in the
department’s rural area. It is situated so it leaves a walk space around it, allowing the truck to double as a rescue
unit.
“The department will not only use this truck for fire suppression but also for high water rescue,” said Texas
A&M Forest Service Resource Specialist Grant Wheeler. “It was recently used to rescue two people from a
swollen creek.”
The department has been serving their community and the surrounding area since 1948 and continually considers
avenues to improve service.
“Garrison Volunteer Fire Department is grateful to Texas A&M Forest Service for the grant and to the
Nacogdoches County ESD and local community for their support,” said Colle.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through various fire department
assistance programs. The Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program launched in Texas in 2005, is
one such program and has released over 700 retired military trucks to volunteer fire departments across the
state. The agency transports the vehicle from a military installation, performs necessary repairs, and delivers it to
the volunteer fire department at no cost to them. The Texas A&M Forest Service excess military equipment
program is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service which also oversees the national program.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.