Silsbee VFD now has a new fire truck thanks to the help of a $78,000 grant
administered through Texas A&M Forest Service.
The cost-share grant helped the fire department purchase a small brush truck that will enhance their
emergency response capabilities and better protect the community from fires.
“Our new truck will be classified as a combination truck because we will use it in several different
capacities and in combination with the rescue truck we already have,” said Joshua Armfield, Silsbee VFD
captain. “We plan on using it to respond to all emergencies in our area.”
The small brush truck is equipped with a 400 gallon tank and a 25 gallon foam unit to better help
suppress fires.
“I think the grant is an excellent service,” said Armfield. “It allows small departments like us to combine
the tax money we collect on support equipment and other necessities with what we’ve received
from TFS. This is a good benefit to fire service and to the citizens.”
The Silsbee VFD award is among the $12.8 million passed through TFS to Texas volunteer fire
departments each year.
“The Silsbee VFD was very appreciative of the grant and loves their new truck. This is one of the newest
in their fleet and will be very beneficial to their brush fighting efforts,” said Ricky Holbrook, TFS regional
fire coordinator. “We try to do our best to make the grant process as easy as we can for VFDs, because
we know how much this type of assistance is needed.”
These grants are important because VFDs respond to 90 percent of wildfires in Texas, and do it with little
to no money and a staff made up primarily of volunteers.
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.