PAINT ROCK, Texas — The Lake O.H. Ivie Volunteer Fire Department in northern Concho County
used a $220,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
Program to purchase a truck for wildland firefighting. The 2023 Freightliner is equipped with a 1,250
gallon water tank as well as a foam system.
The primary functions of the truck will be to fight brush fires, protect structures in the community, and
provide assistance to other departments. It also allows more personnel to respond to fire calls.
Don Sessom, past president of the volunteer fire department’s board, said the truck was a valuable
addition to the department’s fleet.
“We’re very grateful for the community’s support and Texas A&M Forest Service,” Sessom said.
“Because it carries water and foam, we won’t have to rely on our water truck as much, and we’ll have
room for more people. It’s just going to help us so much.”
The department invites anyone interested in joining the department to attend a monthly meeting at the
fire station on Lake Country Road. Call Sessom at 325-234-7601 for details.
As a member agency of the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M Forest Service administers the
Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program and is committed to protecting lives, property, and
natural resources. The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program is funded by the Texas
Legislature and provides cost-share 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.
Contacts:
Don Sessom, Lake O.H. Ivie Volunteer Fire Department, (325) 234-7601
Texas A&M Forest Service Communications, (979) 458-6606, [email protected]