October 25, 2016 – WACO, Texas – Hallsburg Volunteer Fire Department has enhanced its fire
service capabilities with the help of a $18,981 grant administered through Texas A&M Forest
Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The grant was used to help purchase a slip-on unit that is a replacement for an older unit,
according to Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Matthew Schlaefer.
A slip-on unit is designed to enhance any fire department’s firefighting capabilities. The
apparatus is built for the rigors of the fire service and easily mounted in the back of a pickup or a
custom-built bed and is especially effective in handling wildland fires, car fires and many others.
“The timing for the slip-on unit grant was perfect. We had just purchased a 2006 one-ton truck
and were going to put a tank on it when we received the notice that we were approved for this
slip-on unit,” said Hallsburg VFD Assistant Chief Phillip Wilson.
The new slip-on has a 500-gallon water tank and foam capabilities. It has gone into service and
already responded to two calls.
Hallsburg VFD, established in 1973, serves approximately 8,000 people over 40 square miles of
McLennan County.
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 and other programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, visit. http://texasfd.com