SARGENT, Texas — Sargent Area Volunteer Fire and Rescue received a $19,000 grant through the Texas A&M
Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The funds were used to purchase a slip-on unit with a 400-gallon water tank and a 10-gallon foam tank.
“This new unit was put into service immediately and used in response to four emergency calls over the past two
weeks,” said Sargent Area Volunteer Fire and Rescue Fire Chief Kevin Foster. “It has really been helpful in knocking
down grass fires because the foam cools and smothers the fire.”
The department covers an area between the Brazos and Colorado Rivers with marshland and very dry grassy areas. The west side of the department’s protection area recently received rain but due to the dry conditions on the east side a burn ban is still in effect.
According to Foster, the population increases to 15,000 during the summer and holidays and can compound the
challenge of increased fire potential.
“It is helpful when visitors and locals consider the increased risk of fire danger when building beach fires or using
fireworks,” said Foster. “Protecting year-round residents and vacation homes can be demanding but the potential for a quicker knock down increases the capacity for saving property.”
Sargent Area Volunteer Fire and Rescue has been serving their community since 1990. They have 13 committed
volunteers that have received training on firefighting and safety.
The department has a meeting on the second Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the fire station, 22001 FM 457, in Sargent. Anyone wanting to volunteer and commit time to training may pick up an application at that time.
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 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.