A grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program made it possible for Valley Mills Volunteer Fire Department to replace an older truck with a 2013 tender with many updated features.
“Our main challenge that we face when responding to a call during the day is man-power,” said Valley Mills VFD Fire Chief David Fisk. “This new addition with its updated firefighting capabilities takes fewer volunteers to operate it and still get the job done.”
The new tender has a remote nozzle that can be operated by one person from the inside of the cab, 1,000-gallon water tank, 20-gallon foam tank with a Compressed Air Foam System (CAFS), is automatic and has four-wheel-drive. The tender is also equipped with LED scene lighting on the front and back, which can contribute to greater firefighter safety.
“The ability to carry a large water supply is a great benefit because of the lack of water sources in our 350-squaremile service area,” said Fisk. “There are a few flush valves but a lot of our region is remote and water sources are sparse. This tender also has the capability to draft from a river, creek, pond or swimming pool.”
According to Fisk, the truck didn’t make it to the station before a response call came for a vehicle accident involving three cars that started a grass fire. The first four hours that the department had the tender it was used to respond to the vehicle accident and two grass fires.
“The Compressed Air Foam System is a great benefit when fighting grass and auto fires,” said Fisk. “It makes the water go further and smothers the fire, keeping it from possibly rekindling.”
A CAFS system is used in firefighting to deliver fire retardant foam for the purpose of extinguishing a fire or protecting unburned areas. The foam system can aid in quickly extinguishing a fire which helps limit the damage that fires can inflict and helps to increase the effectiveness of the water.
Valley Mills VFD has been serving their community since 1935 and is currently manned by 22 volunteers. The department has open enrollment for any dedicated individual wanting to give back to the community. They may apply by coming to one of the Volunteer Fire Department’s meetings held the first and third Tuesday night each month at 7 pm. The meetings are at the fire station located at 401 Avenue B in Valley Mills.
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.