July 7, 2016 — RICHLAND SPRINGS, Texas — Richland Springs Volunteer Fire Department now has a
new brush truck thanks to a $100,000 grant through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program.
“This type of engine will help Richland Springs increase their defense against wildfires in their community and
surrounding rural areas,” Texas A&M Forest Service Resource Specialist Boe Adler said.
The new truck is replacing a nearly 20-year-old truck that required multiple volunteers to man, according to
Richland Spring VFD Chief Jeffery Bates.
“It can be run by one person,” Bates said. “It has a wildland fire deck gun on the front which is controlled from
inside the vehicle. It only takes one hand to operate it.”
Richland Springs’s new brush truck will allow volunteers to respond faster to calls from any of the more than
6,100 residents in the 288 square miles of coverage in San Saba County.
“If it wasn’t for the grant through TFS, we would not be able to purchase a brush truck with such diverse
capabilities to fight fires,” Bates 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 VFDs 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 texasfd.com.