Imagine the ability to spot an injured victim in the dark or getting an alert when
temperatures reach dangerous levels? For Albany Volunteer Fire Department, these things are now both
possible.
With the help of a grant provided by Texas A&M Forest Service, Albany VFD purchased its first thermal
imaging camera.
The new camera will have the capability to alert firefighters of unsafe temperatures and also allows them
to see any downed victims during search and rescue operations.
“We are moving into modern day technology, and this grant allows us to update our equipment and
provide a better service to the community,” said Kyle Tischler, Albany VFD fire chief.
The cost-share grant is administered through the TFS Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
Program. The program assists VFDs like Albany in securing equipment and training to enhance their
emergency response capabilities.
“Funding is limited and we are just trying to get the basic tools to hold our full service department status,
so I think this is great program TFS has,” said Tischler. “They are helping VFDs keep their doors open by
providing grants that enable us to get the training and equipment we need.”
These grants are important because VFDs respond to 90 percent of wildfires in Texas. They do it with
little to no money and staff made up primarily of volunteers.
“We are here to build local capacity, anything we can do to help the citizens of the community, surely
helps the TFS mission,” said Charles Tice, TFS regional fire coordinator.
The Albany VFD award is among the $12.8 million passed through TFS to Texas volunteer fire
departments each year.
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.