The Kamay Fire Department in Wichita County has been awarded a $155,000 grant for the purchase of a new fire truck through the Texas A&M Forest Service.
The cost-share grant, administered through the TFS Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program will help local firefighters better protect life and property.
Six months after funds were awarded, Kamay VFD completed the fire truck.
“This grant was a great help,” said Barry Tyler, the Kamay Volunteer Fire Department chief. “Where we’re located there are no fire hydrants and with the severe drought, we have nowhere to pull water from, and this truck will allow us to supply our own water at the scene of a fire.”
The Kamay VFD award is among the $12.8 million passed through TFS to Texas volunteer fire departments each year. VFDs respond to 90 percent of wildfires in Texas. They do it with little to no money, and staff made up primarily of volunteers. TFS works to build their capacity and improve their ability to protect their communities – helping pay for needed training, safety gear, rescue equipment and engines.
“We are extremely honored to partner with the Kamay VFD on this grant opportunity,” said Jason Keiningham, the capacity building department head. “We hope the truck will serve the community for many years to come.”
The Rural VFD Assistance Program was created during the 77th Texas Legislature and is administered through TFS.
Largely due to the many programs that assist fire departments, the state agency has received seven national awards from the USDA Forest Service for extensive work in assisting underserved communities.
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.