REAGAN, Texas –- Reagan Volunteer Fire Department received a $70,000 grant from the Texas A&M
Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. Thanks to this cost-share grant, the
department now has a rugged firefighting machine.
“We appreciate having the opportunity to add a 2021 apparatus to our fleet,” said Reagan VFD Fire Chief
Ronnie Brown. “About 85 percent of our response calls are for grass or wildland fires, so having this brush
truck with its 300-gallon water tank and foam capability will give us an advantage when responding to those
types of fires.”
The benefit of mixing foam with water is that it makes the water wetter, cools the fire and coats the fuel like
a blanket which helps to smother a fire and reduces rekindling of the flame.
The truck has already been used on several response calls including one 185-acre fire.
“Rural volunteer fire departments are the first line of defense for a lot of communities,” said Texas A&M
Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Matthew Schlaefer. “This new apparatus will allow for quick,
reliable support during fire response in the local area and in mutual aid.”
Reagan Volunteer Fire Department has served their community since 1977 and has open enrollment for
volunteers. Anyone wishing to apply may email the department at [email protected] or visit their
Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3nYyK7B.
“Our department would like to express gratitude to our community for their continued monetary support, part
of which helped with the cost share portion of the new apparatus purchase and to Texas A&M Forest Service
for having grant opportunities available to volunteer fire departments,” said Brown.
Texas A&M Forest Service is an agency operating within the Texas A&M University System and as the
Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administrator is committed to protecting lives,
property and natural resources. The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program is funded by Texas
State Legislature and provides cost-share 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.