June 8, 2016 — GALENA PARK, Texas — A $218,000 grant from Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program enabled Galena Park Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a new tender.
“This truck will provide much needed support in their area as it will improve water availability and the new [compressed air foam] system will greatly help them in their firefighting efforts,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Jeremy Wagner. “Prior to receiving this truck, they depended on mutual aid to help with water shortages they experienced during responses.”
“This is a new addition to our fleet and will be used as our first out vehicle,” Galena Park VFD Chief Paul Gregory said. “The city provided all new equipment for it so we didn’t have to strip our reserve truck.”
The department plans to use the truck to respond to all types of incidents, from medical emergencies to chemical fires, according to the chief.
“The Compressed Air Foam System is the most versatile addition that will be beneficial to our combination department,” Gregory said. “The foam from the CAFS unit deprives the fire of oxygen, cools the fire and coats the fuel for a faster knock out. We are sometimes shorthanded so being able to extinguish a fire quickly with minimal personnel is a benefit.”
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 fire departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.
To learn more about the fire department assistance programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, visit http://texasfd.com.