The Helping Hands Program allows donations of new and gently-used fire and rescue equipment, fire trucks, and other items to be made available to fire departments throughout the state, while providing liability relief to the donor. The program routinely receives donations of structural gear, fire hoses, nozzles, rescue tools, ladders, ventilation fans, and other items that are essential to the operation of a fire department.
Donations are vital to meeting the needs of volunteer fire departments, and we are grateful to our donors for their participation in supplying equipment through this program.
Apply
Helping Hands requests are filled by following a rating system, or by direct donation. Awarded items are delivered by appointment only.
Chartered, non-profit VFDs operated by its members are eligible. Any part-paid, part-volunteer fire department with 20 or fewer paid members is eligible.
Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA)
By law, SCBAs must be re-certified to the manufacturer’s specifications by a manufacturer authorized technician before being made available for placement. There is a certification fee that is required from each recipient. The amount of the fee may fluctuate.
Notice: As of January 2020, fees are $105 per SCBA and $25 per bottle.
This price only includes the basic certification fee, and does not include repairs to add-on features such as heads up displays. Texas A&M Forest Service and the Helping Hands Program is not responsible for repairs to add-on features of SCBAs.
* Price may change without notice. Once your order is filled, payment will be requested. Please do not send checks prior to being contacted.
Donate
Your donation is critically important and appreciated by VFDs and the communities they serve.
To get started:
- Download the donation form
- List all applicable equipment on one form
- Specify which department you would like your donation to go to. If none is specified, Texas A&M Forest Service will fill pending requests.
If applicable, also Apply for Texas Certificate of Title:
- Download, fill out and sign the 130-U form here: Application for Texas Title and/or Registration Form
- Sign title front and back
- Mail title and 130-U form to: P.O Box 310 Lufkin, TX 75904
Donating organizations have the opportunity to designate a specific recipient at the time of their donation. The specified recipient must claim their donation within three (3) calendar months of Helping Hands receiving the donation. If the designated recipient does not claim the donation within three (3) calendar months, the donation shall be forfeited and assigned to the first available recipient per the standard placement process.