Rising Star Volunteer Fire Department recently received a grant
from Texas A&M Forest Service to update its extrication tools that were over 15 years old.
The most valuable assets of the new tools are reliability and that they require only the minimal number of
responders to operate.
“We are adding a new cutter, spreader, pump and rescue crib,” Rising Star VFD Chief Josh Constancio said.
“The old pump was starting to give us some maintenance issues. The new one will be more dependable and
allow the cutter and Jaws of Life to perform faster and more efficiently.”
The rescue crib is a rapid stabilization tool that makes it possible for one firefighter to stabilize an overturned
vehicle while freeing up manpower to extricate victims.
“U.S. Highways 183 and 36 go through our area and we have a couple of wrecks a month, so the local
community and travelers alike will benefit from the updated equipment,” Constancio said. “We are very
thankful we were able to receive the grant.”
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 the Texas State Legislature and administered
by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural VFDs 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.