Texas A&M Forest Service awarded a $188,355 grant to
Blackwell Volunteer Fire Department for the purchase of a new firefighting vehicle through the Rural
Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The new vehicle is a 2016 Freightliner four-wheel drive chassis, outfitted with a 1,000 gallon water tank and a
pump with foam capability.
The vehicle can serve in multiple roles bit its primary purpose is fighting wildland fires.
“It is good to have dependable equipment that doesn’t require continuous investment in repairs,” said Blackwell
VFD Chief Randy Pieper. “This tender will be ready to go at a moment’s notice.”
Blackwell VFD was established in 1959 and its 40 volunteers serve approximately 15,000 residents over 754
square miles in Nolan County.
“We appreciate Texas A&M Forest Service having grant programs that are such a great benefit to small
departments like ours,” said Pieper.
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 VFDs 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.