Shive Volunteer Fire Department purchased a 2021 International tender thanks to a Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program cost share grant administered through Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This new tender can carry 2,000 gallons of water,” said Shive VFD Fire Chief Michael Bosse. “It is replacing an older truck in our fleet and will help to improve our response time and be safer to operate.”
The tanker is capable of supplying water directly to brush trucks for wildland firefighting or by filling a drop tank at a fire scene.
“This dual-purpose apparatus can haul water to a structure fire or wildland fire and draft from a pond or other water source when needed,” said Bosse.
The tender is in service and the department members have received training on all its controls and operations.
“We are grateful to the community for their continued support even though COVID19 made it a slow year for fund raising and to Texas A&M Forest Service for having the grant programs available to volunteer fire departments,” said Bosse.
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 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.