HOLLAND, Texas — Holland Volunteer Fire Department purchased a 2018 Super Duty F750 thanks to a
$192,000 grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
“This new addition to our fleet will have multipurpose capabilities,” said Assistant Fire Chief Joey Perez. “The
foam system makes it capable of functioning as a wildland apparatus and also in response to structure and
vehicle fires. It will give us the ability for a quick knock-down whatever the situation may be.”
Firefighting foam is used for fire suppression. It cools the fire and coats the fuel, preventing contact with
oxygen. The firefighter spreads a blanket of foam on the area involved, smothering the fire and decreasing the
possibility of it reigniting.
“The new large brush truck is in service and has been used several times,” said Texas A&M Forest Service
Regional Fire Coordinator, Matthew Schlaefer. “It will be a huge asset to Holland VFD because of its ability to
carry 1,000 gallons of water, and the addition of a compressed air foam system, 20-gallon foam tank and
bumper nozzle make the truck an up-to-date firefighting apparatus.”
According to Perez, sometimes manpower can be an issue, especially when volunteers are at their regular jobs.
The truck was built with that in mind and it can be used to respond to a call with just a couple of volunteers
forming the firefighting crew.
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 Texas State Legislature and administered by
Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural Volunteer Fire Departments 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 http://texasfd.com.