July 26, 2016 — SALADO, Texas — Texas A&M Forest Service recently awarded a $200,000 grant to Salado
Volunteer Fire Department for a new brush truck through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance
Program.
The truck, a 2016 International, is replacing a smaller 20-year-old department vehicle.
“The new brush truck is larger and has more options that make it safer for the firefighters,” said Salado VFD
Chief Shane Berrier.
The new truck has a 1,000-gallon water tank, a 20-gallon foam tank, a bumper turret nozzle, and an assortment of
hoses that increase the department’s capacity.
“It also gives us the capability to begin fighting a wildland fire when there is only one volunteer available
because the turret and the motor for the pump are controlled from the inside of the truck,” explained Berrier.
“The challenge that we face in our rural area is lack of fire hydrants. This new truck will be a great benefit
because of the amount of water it will haul,” Berrier said.
Chief Berrier said that while the truck’s primary use will be for wildland fire-fighting, it can also be used for
structure or vehicle fires as well.
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.