OLNEY, Texas –– Olney Volunteer Fire Department will add a retired military vehicle to their fleet as
part of the DoD Firefighting Property Program.
“The truck is replacing an older unit,” Fire Chief Ron Keeter said. “We didn’t have one that could
accommodate brush.”
With most of their vehicles being for streets, the military truck stands out in the fleet.
“We have bigger trucks, but nothing like this” Keeter said.
Covering 19 square miles and serving 4,000 people, the new truck will enhance their capability to fight
wildfires and structure fires by allowing them to carry more water than before.
Recipients of this excess property are required to convert the vehicle into a service-ready unit within
180 days of acquisition.
“In order to convert the military vehicle into a firefighting one for our department, it had to be painted
and equipment necessary to protecting lives and property was added,” Keeter said.
The DoD Firefighter Property Program provides excess military equipment to fire departments and
emergency service providers. Launched in Texas in 2005, this program has released over 300 retired
military trucks to VFDs across the state to help them better protect lives and property. The program is
overseen by the USDA Forest Service and directed by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This TFS program is a good one to have,” said Keeter. “Without it, smaller departments wouldn’t have
the capability to get a new truck like the one we received.”
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.