A $99,000 grant made available by Texas A&M Forest Service enabled
Jasper Co. Tri-Community Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new Ford F150 brush truck.
“We are thrilled to welcome this new addition to our fleet,” Fire Chief Vandie Smith said.
The department is located among the backdrop of rural East Texas where it protects a 140 square mile service
area.
“This truck’s specialty is wildland and urban interface and is well suited for the majority of calls they receive,”
Texas A&M Forest Service Resource Specialist III John Gill said.
However, the vehicle’s capabilities exceed its specialty.
“The truck will be used to respond to everything from grass fires to structure fires,” Smith said.
“Because the truck is a much newer model than the other trucks in our fleet, it is proving to be much more
dependable and will improve our department’s response time,” Smith said.
Over 85 percent of fire departments in Texas are either completely or mostly operated by volunteers. TFS
passes approximately $12.8 million along to volunteer fire departments across the state each year, helping
them purchase equipment to better protect lives and property.
“This program is the best thing to ever happen to us,” Smith said. “Programs like this help so many VFDs like
ours.”
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.