Quitman Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $100,000 grant to go toward the purchase
of a small brush truck through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The truck, a 4-wheel drive Ford F-550, went into service on Sept. 12. “We ran about six calls that day,” Director of Fire
and Safety Administration Gary Simpkins said. “It worked extremely well.”
The department’s service area benefits approximately 16,531 people, and includes rolling hills and pine trees. According
to Simpkins, the truck height and super single tires allows the department to respond to areas that they previously could
not access.
Additionally, it enables the firefighters a safer alternative to being directly in front of a wildfire. ”the bumper mount is a
good safety feature because it can be operated from inside with a joystick, allowing firefighters to stay inside the truck,”
said Simpkins.
Volunteer firefighters operate 85 percent of the fire departments in Texas. This year TFS will pass approximately $24.3
million along to VFDs across the state. The grant funding aids them in purchasing equipment and obtaining vital
firefighter training, giving them greater capabilities to protect life and property in their communities.
“I think it is great that TFS offers grants to the volunteer fire departments,” Simpkins said. “Most volunteer firefighters
work so they don’t have a lot of time to wade through difficult and long applications. The TFS grant application isn’t
complicated.”
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com