HUMBLE, Texas –– Northeast Fire and Rescue Service recently received a $199,000 grant to go toward the purchase of a large brush truck through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural VFD Assistance Program.
“Our department applied for this grant because we needed a new truck to increase our ability to respond to wildland
fires and high water emergencies,” Fire Chief James Rogers said.
“This apparatus will be a great addition to the area because they had to rely on mutual aid from Webster Fire
Department which is more than 40 miles away.” TFS, Regional Fire Coordinator Jeremy Wagner said.
Brush trucks are designed with wildland and grass fires in mind; they often have four-wheel drive and are equipped with a tank and a pump.
“The truck’s greatest asset to our department is its ability to do what it does,” said Rodgers. “It was built specifically for
the contexts we find ourselves in most often.”
The truck’s classification as a large brush truck speaks to its status as a high profile vehicle. High profile vehicles ensure a tall center of gravity that increases safety and effectiveness when responding to flooding.
“High water rescue tends to be one of our department’s greatest challenges,” said Rodgers. “We are lucky to have a
truck that helps solve this problem.”
Volunteers either completely or mostly operate over 85 percent of fire departments in Texas. TFS passes approximately $12.8 million along to volunteer fire departments across the state each year, helping them purchase equipment to better protect lives and property.
“This is an awesome program,” said Rodgers. “I regard it as one of the better programs offered in Texas.”
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.