SAN FELIPE, Texas – The San Felipe-Frydek VFD recently received a grant worth $200,000 to purchase a new water tend through the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural VFD Assistance Program.
With only a few fire hydrants in the community, this new addition will be beneficial at emergency scenes. It will transport 3,000 gallons of water.
“It does not take much for a cotton picker or hay bailer to accidentally start a fire. The recent rain has increased undergrowth and adds to our fire potential,” said Fire Chief Kimberly Silver
The department was created in 1977, and the 18 volunteers currently serve a population of approximately 1000.
“The new water tender will provide the San Felipe-Frydek VFD with an invaluable new resource to keep their service area safe,” said TFS Regional Fire Coordinator Stephen Carrol.
Volunteer fire departments 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 aids them in purchasing equipment and obtaining vital firefighter training, giving them greater capabilities to protect life and property in their communities.
“Many of the volunteer fire departments are nonprofit organizations and depend on their communities for support. The funding that they do have would not be enough to cover the costs of updated equipment and training that TFS grants help VFDs obtain,” said Fire Chief Kimberly Silvers.
To learn more about this program, visit our fire department programs page.