December 12, 2016 — AGUA DULCE, Texas — Nueces Jim Wells County Emergency Service District No. 5
received a retired military truck through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program, administered
by Texas A&M Forest Service.
The 1990 Bowen-McLaughlin-York five-ton truck is a new addition to the department.
“We painted the vehicle, put a new bumper, and built all of our own firefighting system, front bumper monitor,
and lighting,” said Nueces Jim Wells County ESD No.5 Chief Allen Wursthorn.
The front bumper monitor can be operated from inside the cab, allowing the department to have a faster response
times to fire calls and requires fewer firefighters to operate.
“We are a small department of about 15 members so we never know how many will be able to respond to a
call,” said Wursthorn. “One person would be able to take the truck out and start fighting the fire while inside the
cab.”
The truck has six-wheel drive, which provides for greater maneuverability in the farming and ranching terrains
the department deals with. Additionally, the truck can also be used for high or swift water rescues.
The DoD Firefighter Property Program, overseen by the USDA Forest Service, provides excess military
equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers. Launched in Texas in 2005, this program has
released over 400 retired military trucks to VFDs across the state to help them better protect lives and property.
Texas A&M Forest Service picks up the vehicle from a military installation, performs necessary repairs, and
delivers it to the volunteer fire department at no cost to them.
To learn more about this and other fire department assistance programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service,
visit http://texasfd.com.