BEN BOLT, Texas –– Texas A&M Forest Service awarded Ben Bolt Volunteer Fire Department a $200,000 grant
to help purchase a new brush truck to add to their fleet.
Ben Bolt Fire Chief Patrick Thomas said the new brush truck will fill a void they were experiencing within their
fleet.
“This large brush truck will increase our capability to fight wildland fires, but it also has extra compartments
for rescue equipment,” Thomas said. “We are right on a major highway and get a lot of rescue calls. We
needed a vehicle that could get into tight spaces and rural terrain.”
The new truck also brings the department foam capabilities previously unavailable to the VFD. Foam helps the
water supply work more efficiently by allowing water to penetrate more deeply into fuels, aiding in
extinguishing the fire. It also helps slow down and stop the combustion process.
The VFD serves approximately 143 square miles of territory and offers mutual aid to an additional 200 square
miles.
“Volunteer fire departments rely on all the TFS programs to operate,” Thomas said. “TFS plays an important
role in helping to keep equipment up to date.”
Over 85 percent of fire departments in the state of Texas are either completely or mostly operated by
volunteers. TFS passes approximately $12.8 million along to volunteer fire departments across the state every
year, helping them purchase equipment to better protect lives and property.
To learn more about this program visit http://texasfd.com.