May 10, 2016 — GOLINDA, Texas — The Golinda VFD recently received a $20,000 grant from Texas
A&M Forest Service to purchase a new slip-on unit.
“This new slip-on replaces one of the original units that we got when our department was established in
1983,” Golinda VFD Chief Quincy Lee said. “This unit has two extra attack lines, a 300-gallon water tank, and a 10-gallon foam tank.”
A slip-on unit is a complete self-contained firefighting system designed for a pick-up truck or custom-built vehicle platform. It is used in wildland firefighting as well as structure and automobile fires.
“In order to raise funds to help with our grant share, we had a chili dinner and manned a fireworks stand,”
Chief Lee said.
The department responds to a population of about 1,100. The majority of their response calls come in the
summer during hay cutting and the harvesting of other crops.
“The Golinda VFD members are very excited to receive this piece of equipment and to begin training
with the newer skid unit,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Matthew Schlaefer.
“It is a big step up from Golinda VFD’s old unit and will better serve the residents in the Falls County
area.”
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 the Texas State Legislature and
administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural VFDs for the
acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer
systems and firefighter training.
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.