WHEELOCK, Texas –– Wheelock Volunteer Fire Department now has a converted military truck to protect its
community from fire and related hazards thanks to the DoD Firefighter Property Program administered by
Texas A&M Forest Service.
The program provides excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers and is
managed nationally by the USDA Forest Service.
“As a volunteer fire department, this program really stretches our funds,” Fire Chief Frank Little said. “It gives us
the capability of having a brush truck to service our county.”
Recipients of this excess property are required to convert the vehicle into a service-ready unit within 180 days of
acquisition.
“We painted the truck non-military colors, and then we took a skid unit from one of our existing older trucks and
put it onto this truck,” Little said. “We also refurbished the pump engine and added lights and sirens.”
Since being implemented in Texas in 2005, the DoD FFP has released over 300 retired military trucks to VFDs across
the state to help them better protect lives and property.
“It’s great to see community members coming together with the purpose of helping protect and save lives and
property,” Regional Fire Coordinator Justin Graf said. “This fire engine will be a great asset for Wheelock VFD to
help enhance their emergency response capabilities in Robertson County.”
The new truck will help better protect the VFD’s service area as well as offer mutual aid to surrounding areas,
according to Little.
“This truck will enhance our department’s capabilities,” Little said. “It really is a wonderful program, and I
encourage other departments in the county to take advantage of it.”
To learn more about this program, visit http://texasfd.com.