May 17, 2016 — ROCKPORT, Texas — Lamar Volunteer Fire Department has enhanced its
fire service capabilities with the help of a $20,000 grant administered by Texas A&M Forest
Service.
The grant, part of Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
The program went toward purchasing a new slip-on unit for one of the department’s existing trucks.
“This is replacing a 15-year-old fiberglass tank and pump that we had installed on the truck
ourselves,” Lamar VFD Chief Carl Stubbs said.
A slip-on unit is designed to enhance any fire department’s firefighting capabilities. The
apparatus is built for the rigors of the fire service and easily mounted in the back of a pick-up
truck or a custom-built vehicle bed and is especially effective in handling wildland, automobile
and structure fires.
“The foam system is a really big addition for [us since] we did not have foam on our old unit.
The truck also has the ability to draft water in a remote location, which is a good option since our
community and service area do not have very many fire hydrants,” Chief Stubbs said.
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 the Texas State
Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to
rural VFDs for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective
clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems, and firefighter training.
To learn more about this and other Texas A&M Forest Service programs, visit http://texasfd.com.