COLD SPRING, Texas — Punkin-Evergreen Volunteer Fire Department received a $100,000 cost
share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas
A&M Forest Service. The grant allowed the department to purchase a 2019 small brush truck.
“This new addition will be our first-out for wildland fires and will also aid in getting additional crew to
structure fires or with traffic control after a vehicle accident,” said Punkin-Evergreen VFD Fire Chief
Rick Stevens. “Our service area is steadily growing, currently, there are around 6,000 residents and a
new 4,000-acre Boy Scout camp that will house up to 6,000 people.”
The new truck has a 400-gallon water tank and foam capability.
“The foam is especially useful when fighting wildland fires because it helps to smother fire inside trees
or wood piles and keeps the fire from rekindling and spreading,” said Stevens.
According to Stevens, an escalation in call volume is expected due to growth in their service area. He
is grateful for a truck that will help increase the department’s capacity, not only to serve their
community, but also in mutual aid.
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.