HAMILTON, Texas — The Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department received a $200,000 grant from the Rural VFD Assistance grant program through Texas A&M Forest Service.
The new tanker carries 3,000 gallons of water plus equipment. It will be used for wildland and, structural fires and auto accidents.
“This tanker is an upgrade from our old pumper that only carried 800 gallons of water,” said Hamilton VFD Fire Chief Ronnie McDonald. “Our service area will benefit in two ways. The VFD will be responding with an up-to-date apparatus and the community will have lower insurance rates, since the premium is adjusted according to the quantity of water that is available to fight a fire.”
This water tender built on an International chassis, will be a very versatile apparatus.
Established in 1914, Hamilton VFD continues to look for ways to increase their capacity to serve their community.
“The grant programs through TFS are essential to the very existence of many fire departments,” said McDonald. “Because of those grants VFDs are better equipped to save life and property in their community.”
Volunteer firefighters operate 85 percent of the fire departments in Texas. This year TFS will pass approximately $24.3 million along to VFDs across the state. The grants aid them in purchasing equipment and obtaining vital firefighter training, giving them greater capabilities to protect life and property in their communities.
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.