WACO, Texas — Speegleville Volunteer Fire Department received a $20,000 cost-share grant to help purchase a new slip-on unit. The grant was through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
“The new slip-on unit is mounted on the department’s 5-ton military truck and is ready for action as a multipurpose apparatus” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Matthew Schlaefer.
The increased water supply gives the department an advantage.
“The 1,200-gallon water tank and 10-gallon foam capacity will give our department an upper hand when responding to fires in our 42 square-mile service area,” said Speegleville VFD Fire Chief Jaime Morris. “This truck will not only be used as a large brush truck but also as a water tender to transport water and keep the supply coming when there is a fire. Having a larger quantity of water when we first arrive at the scene will give us the capacity to contain a fire to a smaller area for a faster knock-down.” Speegleville Volunteer Fire Department anticipates that the slip-on unit will serve them well and values the opportunity to better serve their community.
“We appreciate the support of our community that helped us raise the funds for the cost share portion of the slip-on unit purchase, and we value the Texas A&M Forest Service grant programs that make these types of purchases possible for volunteer fire departments” said Morris.
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.
