GHOLSON, Texas — Gholson Volunteer Fire Department added a new rescue/small brush truck to
their fleet thanks to a $45,000 grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program
administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This new truck will be one of our first-out for wildland fires and rescue situations,” said Gholson
VFD Fire Chief Mitch Vaughn. “The truck was made ready for service by adding a slip-on unit with a
300-gallon water tank and is also equipped with extrication tools that will be very helpful when
responding to vehicle accidents on the busy Farm-to-Market Road 933.”
According to Vaughn the department has been saving funds a long time for this truck and is pleased to
be placing it in service and retiring an unreliable, older truck. It will allow the volunteers to respond
more efficiently since it can transport as many as four firefighters, making it more economical with
fuel costs.
“Gholson Volunteer Fire Department completed the conversion of their new rescue/brush truck by
attaching a slip-on unit that they already owned,” said Matthew Schlaefer, Texas A&M Forest Service
Regional Fire Coordinator. “The new four-wheel-drive truck will serve them well and help provide
firefighting power as they continue to offer service to their community.”
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer
Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost share program funded by Texas State Legislature and
administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural Volunteer Fire
Departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing,
dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit
http://texasfd.com.