North Shore Fire Department added a water tender to their fleet that can carry 3,000 gallons of water to any fire response in the department’s service area. The department purchased the apparatus thanks to community donations and a cost share grant that was awarded through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“Our department’s response area is very rural with few water options,” said North Shore Assistant Fire Chief Shane Tackett. “This new tender not only carries a large quantity of water but can sustain a large volume since it can draft water from a pool or pond and is equipped with a swivel shoot for the drop tank. It will also be beneficial in supporting mutual aid with four other departments.”
According to Tackett although the truck can carry 3,000-gallons of water it is compact in size, making it perfect for getting into the rural, rough terrain.
“We have two fund raisers a year and the money that we raised in those events went towards the department’s cost share portion for the tender,” said Tackett. “We appreciate the community support that allowed us to make the purchase and also for Texas A&M Forest Service grant opportunities that are available to small volunteer fire departments.”
Approximately seventy percent of Texas fire service is filled by volunteer fire departments. Fire Chief Billy Tackett and the members of the North Shore Fire department have served their community since 2007.
“If anyone is interested in volunteering their time and want to give back to the community through fire response they can visit our website at http://www.northshorefire.net for contact information,” said Tackett.
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.