LEVITA, Texas — Levita Fire Department received a $100,000 grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The cost share grant helped to purchase a Ford F550 that will help to
increase wildland firefighting capacity. The department’s cost share portion will be paid with dollars from fund
raising and donations from the community.
“Our community is really behind the department,” said Levita Fire Department Fire Chief Keith Jones. “They are
very supportive when we have our two fundraisers and through donations. They recognize the importance of having
an emergency service for not only fires but medical response as well.”
The new brush truck is equipped with gauges inside and out that constantly monitor the volume of fuel and the
remaining water volume. It also has a 400-gallon water tank, 20-gallon foam tank, bumper nozzles, and a front
mounted fire monitor or deck gun, all operated from inside the cab of the truck. The deck monitor is capable of
shooting a high-velocity stream of water that is useful in fighting wildland fires. The addition of foam helps to
extinguish the fire quickly.
Firefighting foam is used for fire suppression. It cools the fire and coats the fuel, preventing contact with oxygen. The
firefighter spreads a blanket of foam on the area involved, smothering the fire and decreasing the possibility of it
reigniting.
“The new truck is state-of-the-art, allowing a firefighter to operate the firefighting apparatus with the push of a
button,” said Jones.
The volunteers received training on the all-electric system, learning what activates the bumper monitor, nozzles, and
different water lines.
The new fleet addition has already been used to respond to six fires, proving its capacity to make a quick knockdown
of wildland and grass fires.
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.