SWEETWATER, Texas –- Lake Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department received a $99,000 cost share grant that
helped purchase a new brush truck with a compressed air foam system (CAFS). It replaces a 1966 truck and a
World War II military trucks, both were inoperable. The grant was received through the Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
The truck was named Luckey in honor of the department’s fire chief of 20 years, John Luckey, who devoted
much of his life to the department.
“We appreciate being able to honor Chief Luckey with this new addition to our fleet,” said Lake Sweetwater VFD
Fire Chief Pete Gizzi. “It is a very up-to-date apparatus and will help increase our firefighting capacity. One
feature is that the controls are accessed from inside the cab, making it easy to operate and monitor the flow rate
of the water discharge from the 400-gallon water tank.”
The firefighters will be trained on the new addition since it is taller and wider than other trucks in their fleet and
to become familiar with all its operations.
“The department will easily integrate this new apparatus into its fleet, and it will bring versatility to fighting
fires in off-road situations” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Tyler Brown.
Lake Sweetwater Volunteer Fire Department has been serving their community since 1987.
“Our department is committed to service to our community, and we appreciate and value the community’s
continued support to the department and are also grateful for grant opportunities through Texas A&M Forest
Service; both have contributed to our growth and progress,” said Gizzi.
Lake Sweetwater VFD has 15 department members and has open enrollment for volunteers. To apply contact
the department at https://bit.ly/3cXTPK4.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program, a cost-share program funded by Texas State Legislature and administered by
Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides 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.