MELVIN, Texas –- Melvin Volunteer Fire Department replaced a 35-year-old truck with a new 2020 custom
built a brush truck thanks to local support and a cost-share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department
Assistance Program.
“This truck will be one of our urban interface apparatus,” said Melvin VFD President Ceth Holubec. “The truck
is equipped with a 657-gallon water tank and has foam capability, making it very beneficial when responding to
brush and house fires in our rural community.”
The department offers fire service to their community and to a 64-square-mile area that includes homes, ranches
and outbuildings and serves in mutual aid with other fire departments.
In 2020 Melvin Volunteer Fire Department helped contain the Waldrop Fire that covered 1,000 acres. At the
same time, Placid Community VFD had a crew on the Gate 5 Fire that was spreading on the northwest side of
McCulloch County. Melvin VFD took over response calls that came in for Placid Community VFD, freeing that
department’s crew to continue to fight and contain the massive 13,000-acre Gate 5 Fire.
Melvin VFD’s new apparatus is in service and ready for response.
“We would like to thank Texas A&M Forest Service for having grant opportunities available to volunteer fire
departments,” said Melvin VFD Fire Chief Cole Holubec. “This addition will greatly benefit Melvin,
McCulloch County and the surrounding area.”
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.