Log Cabin Volunteer Fire Department received a retired military vehicle from Texas A&M Forest Service as part of the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program.
Likely a refueler in its previous life, the 1989 Oshkosh Defense Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck (HEMTT) M978A4 is a 2,500-gallon tanker known in the military community for advanced suspension and powerful drivetrain.
Upon receiving the truck, Log Cabin VFD had 180 days to convert the military truck into a firefighting apparatus.
“We got it painted a nonmilitary color and removed and replaced one of the pumps that was completely destroyed,” Log Cabin VFD Chief Cory Abbee said.’
The truck is already in service for structure fires according to Chief Abbee, but he explained that “in the future we would like to add a remote cab monitor for wildland use.”
According to Abbee, the truck has been a benefit for the Log Cabin community as it has not only increased the department’s firefighting capacity, but it has also lowered their public protection score from a 10 to an eight.
Public protection scores are determined by the Insurance Service Office, a for profit organization that provides statistical information on risk. This score is used by some insurance companies to determine premium rates. The lower the score, the better.
“This truck has provided just about everything we need to best serve our community,” said Abbee, who is appreciative of the assistance Texas A&M Forest Service provides and hopes to utilize the grant program again in the future.
The DoD Firefighter Property Program, overseen by the USDA Forest Service, provides excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers. Launched in Texas in 2005, this program has released over 400 retired military trucks to VFDs across the state to help them better protect lives and property. Texas A&M Forest Service transports the vehicle from a military installation, performs necessary repairs and delivers it to the volunteer fire department at no cost to them.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.