MENARD, Texas — Menard Volunteer Fire Department added a 2020 Freightliner large brush truck
to their fleet. The purchase was made possible with a $90,000 grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire
Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“We haven’t had a new truck since 2006 and then we bought a truck to build out ourselves,” said
Menard VFD Fire Chief Tyler Wagner. “This truck will be replacing a 1970 apparatus that has a
number of problems so we are very grateful to the community and county for their support and for the
grant from Texas A&M Forest Service.”
According to Wagner the truck has a 750-gallon water tank and will be used to respond to wildland
fires.
“This apparatus has already gone into service,” said Wagner. “The department used it to respond to
two grass fires and it did an amazing job.”
Fire Chief Wagner has been part of the all-volunteer fire department for 18 years and has been the fire
chief for five years. It has been his goal for Menard Volunteer Fire Department to have a new truck to
help increase safety for the 20 volunteers and to better serve the community.
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.