May 17, 2016 — GONZALES, Texas — A $120,500 grant from Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program enabled Gonzales Fire Department to purchase a new tanker recently.
“This truck is a replacement,” Gonzales FD Chief Keith Schmidt said. “We had a truck that was originally built and paid for by [Texas A&M Forest Service] grant money some years ago. That vehicle was totaled in an accident, so we put in for an emergency grant and it was replaced through that process.”
The new truck nearly doubles the department’s capabilities.
Gonzalez FD’s old truck was a heavy brush truck/tanker that carried 1,600-gallons of water. The new truck can carry more water and has more capabilities.”
The new 2015 tanker truck has a full complement of ladders, cross-lay hoses, a foam system, and a canvas collapsible tank that can hold 3,000 gallons of water, according to Chief Schmidt.
“We can set the collapsible tank beside our fire engine, dump the water from this tanker in about two minutes and be pumping water and fighting fire while this tanker goes to refill with more water,” Schmidt said.
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 fire departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.
To learn more about the fire department assistance programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, visit http://texasfd.com.