KIRVIN, Texas — Kirvin Community Volunteer Fire Department transformed a 1997 Stewart
Stevenson into a brush truck capable of fighting wildland fires and navigating high water. It was
awarded through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program (DoD), along with a $20,000
grant for a slip-on unit through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, both
programs administered through Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This truck has all-wheel-drive and will be able to get into areas that are demanding,” said Kirvin VFD
Fire Chief Ken Sessions. “We added a 600-gallon water tank, 20-gallon foam tank, and a remote
control turret for the front. These changes helped to complete the conversion and make it possible to be
operated by one firefighter if necessary.”
The DoD Property Program requires the recipient to paint the vehicle a non-military color and convert
it to perform an emergency response function within 180 days of acquisition.
“The department completed a great conversion on this truck, and it will be an asset to both the Kirvin
Community Volunteer Fire Department and to the surrounding mutual aid area,” said Matthew
Whelan, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through various fire
department assistance programs. The Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program launched in
Texas in 2005, is one such program and has released over 600 retired military trucks to volunteer fire
departments across the state. The agency transports the vehicle from a military installation, performs
necessary repairs, and delivers it to the volunteer fire department at no cost to them. The Texas A&M
Forest Service’s excess military equipment program is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service, which
also oversees the national program.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.