August 25, 2016 — SANGER, Texas — Sanger Volunteer Fire Department recently upgraded one of their
trucks with a $18,000 slip-on unit grant through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department
Assistance Grant Program.
A slip-on unit is a complete, self-contained firefighting apparatus designed for a pickup truck or custom-built
vehicle platforms. It is intended to become a fast, initial-attack firefighting component used for wildland
firefighting, structure and automobile fires.
“The grant that we received helped us to replace a 1999, 300-gallon slip-on that did not have foam capability,”
said Sanger VFD Chief David Pennington. “We were also having problems with the old unit overheating when
we were fighting a grass fire for an extended period of time.”
The new slip-on unit consists of a 400-gallon water tank, 10-gallon foam tank, and 100-foot hose reel.
“We needed something dependable since we have about 1600 calls a year across the 142 sq. miles that we
cover. There are a lot of 3-10 acre ranchettes plus open ranch land where grass fires and hay field fires can
increase with the dry weather,” explained Pennington.
“This slip-on unit has already been a huge benefit to the community and surrounding area,” said Texas A&M
Forest Service Resource Specialist Keith Vaughan. “Sanger VFD provides mutual aid for another fire
department in Wise County and they used this unit to respond to a wildland fire there that was over 200 acres.”
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.
To learn more about the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, and other programs offered by
Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.