KAMAY, Texas –– Kamay Volunteer Fire Department received an excess military vehicle through Texas A&M Forest
Service as part of the DoD Firefighter Property Program.
“The truck that this one will eventually replace was put into service about 15 years ago,” Fire Chief Barry Tyler said. “We
needed a dependable vehicle, and the older truck was beginning to need work.”
Recipients of this excess property are required to convert the vehicle into a service-ready unit within 180 days of
acquisition.
“In order to get this military vehicle converted into a firefighting one, our department added a bed liner to the areas that could be slippery when wet, extended the front bumper, and added a hose and 4 nozzles,” Tyler said. A brush guard was attached to the truck to protect it from possible damage when crossing rough terrain. In addition, a skid unit with 1,200 gallon tank, 200 feet of red line and a whip line and tail board were added.
“The truck is tall enough to be used in high water rescue, snow and as a support vehicle on structure and brush fires,”
Tyler said.
With six-wheel drive as well as automatic and power steering the new truck will assist the department in providing
mutual aid to other departments in Young and Archer County.
The DoD Firefighter Property Program, managed nationwide by USDA Forest Service, provides excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers. Launched in Texas in 2005, this program has released over 300 retired military trucks to VFDs across the state to help them better protect lives and property.
“This program is great,” Tyler said. “Volunteer Fire Departments depend on donations to be able to function. When the
Forest Service helps the departments with trucks, funds are freed up that can be used elsewhere. It also gives smaller
departments better equipment so they can serve their community more effectively.”
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.