September 13, 2016 — LOVELADY, Texas — Texas A&M Forest Service recently awarded Weldon
Volunteer Fire Department with a $17,635 grant to purchase a new slip-on unit, through the Rural Volunteer
Fire Department Assistance Grant Program.
A slip-on unit is a complete, self-contained firefighting apparatus designed for a pickup truck or custom-built
vehicle platforms. It is intended to become a fast, initial-attack firefighting component used for wildland
firefighting, structure and automobile fires.
“This new slip-on unit is replacing one that was in service for about 10 years. It had a 400-gallon water tank
that started leaking and needed a lot of repairs,” said Weldon VFD Chief Dennis Taylor. “This new slip-on has
a 500-gallon water tank and a 10-gallon foam tank.”
The increase in water capacity is a benefit to the department.
“The challenge we have is water. Our area is rural, and we don’t have access to fire hydrants,” Taylor explained.
“We do have a relief valve near the fire station. It has connections that we can hook up and fill our tanks, but we
have to haul water to all the fires in the area.”
The unit has been put into service but has not responded to any calls yet. “We received a lot of rain recently so
that has helped to eliminate fire calls for a little while,” said Taylor.
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 system,s and firefighter
training.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.