GARRISON, Texas — Garrison Volunteer Fire Department shares hope and support for the community by
literally showing their colors when converting an excess 6×6 military truck. The truck was received through the
Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program and the slip-on unit is through the Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program, both administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
One of the stipulations when getting an excess military truck is to paint it a nonmilitary color.
“Garrison Volunteer Fire Department invested many man hours into the conversion of this Stewart Stevenson
that will not only be used for grass and wood fires and high-water rescues but also as a focal point for community
outreach,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Ricky Holbrook.
The truck honors individuals and bears their names on ribbons, stressing hope and awareness.
“This truck is painted pink with pink neon lights and is dedicated to Cancer Awareness, Wounded Warriors,
PTSD, Suicide Awareness, and Fallen Officers,” said Garrison VFD Assistant Fire Chief Grant Wheeler. “If you
see us out and about, you are more than welcome to come sign the truck in memory of a loved one or those that
are still in the battle for life.”
The conversion was completed in-house with the addition of a slip-on unit that has an 800-gallon water tank
and foam capability, steps, and handrails.
“About 70 percent of our fires are wildland type fires, so this new addition to our fleet will be used as a brush
truck, but in the last few years we have had increased flooding, so the truck was built to accommodate
individuals during highwater rescues,” said Garrison VFD Fire Chief Ricky Colle.
Having foam capability is important.
“Previously, wildland hand tools were our main source of control for grass fires that occurred in some of our
more difficult terrain because our other trucks could not get into those areas, but this 6×6 will get out there with
foam and more water for a faster knockdown,” said Chief Colle.
Garrison VFD is grateful for support from the community, local ESD and Texas A&M Forest Service, all of
whom contributed to increasing the department’s firefighting capacity with the addition of this truck.
The department has been serving their community since 1948 and has open enrollment for volunteers.
Applications may be picked up any Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at 634 South B Avenue in Garrison.
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 800 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 USDA Forest Service oversees the program nationwide
and is the supplier of the excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.