March 21, 2017 — Wall, Texas — Wall Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $200,000 grant to
purchase a new large brush truck through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department
Assistance Program.
“This new brush truck is replacing one that we had for about 12 years,” said Wall Volunteer Fire Department
Fire Chief Dean Dickson. “The new truck has been a godsend and has already been out on six runs which
included auto accidents and grass fires.”
According to Dickson, the new vehicle will be used as first response to structure fires, wildland fires, and auto
accidents. The truck has telescope lighting on each side which is important for lighting the scene of an
emergency. It also has storage space for all the tools that may be needed, plus a 500-gallon water tank with
foam capability. The foam helps to smother the fire for swift knockdown.
“Having the capability for a quick attack on a grass fire will allow us to put the fire out faster before it has the
opportunity to spread,” said Dickson.
Wall VFD receives a lot of support from their close knit community that they have been serving since 1968.
The community responded with funds to cover the cost-share portion of the truck purchase, allowing the
department to continue to operate debt-free.
“We appreciate our community and Texas A&M Forest Service who has helped us for a number of years now,”
said Dickson. “The grant programs that they offer have been a tremendous help, allowing us and other VFDs to
receive training and update equipment to help protect and serve our communities.”
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 VFDs 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.