WHEELER, Texas — The Wheeler Volunteer Fire Department received their first new large brush truck with a
Compressed Air Foam System, thanks to Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural VFD Assistance Program.
“This truck is a great addition because we were running with only military surplus equipment,” said Wheeler
VFD Fire Chief Robert Ford. “This new truck will be useful when responding to wildland, structure and other
types of fires.”
This versatile vehicle has already gone into service. It was used in mutual aid response to the Gem City 1 fire
that consumed 3,600 acres.
“Wheeler VFD has a big need for this truck since they respond to multiple types of fires,” said Richard Eubank,
TFS, RFC . “The tank system on this apparatus is designed to carry both class A and B foam and will be a great
asset to the department.”
The Class A foam aids in fire suppression and can prevent re-ignition when fighting wildland and structural
fires. Class B foams are designed to contain explosive vapors produced by flammable liquids.
“The CAFS unit is extremely valuable in our rural service area because of all the petroleum and gas. It has a 40
gallon Aqueous AFFF storage tank. Aqueous film-forming foam is a special product that is used to fight
petroleum-based fires,” said Ford.
Volunteer firefighters operate 85 percent of the fire departments in Texas. This year, TFS will pass
approximately $24.3 million along to VFDs across the state. The grants aid them in purchasing equipment and
obtaining vital firefighter training, giving them greater capabilities to protect life and property in their
communities.
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.