Windcrest Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $118,000 small brush truck
through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural VFD Assistance Program.
“We applied because our fleet was depleting,” Fire Chief Eric Vargas said. “The majority of our vehicles are
upwards of 15 years old and are not fully functional.”
The new truck has four-wheel drive and can accommodate more firefighters and equipment, according to
Vargas.
“Because of our increased carrying capacity, everything we need to fight a fire can fit in one truck meaning we
don’t have to use more vehicles and firefighters than necessary,” Vargas said. “Being a small department,
having the ability to preserve a portion of our man power ensures that we are able to respond to multiple
emergencies at once.”
The small brush truck expands the department’s water carrying and fire suppression abilities allowing them to
fight fires more effectively in the 12 square miles they serve.
Over 85 percent of fire departments in Texas are either completely or mostly operated by volunteers. TFS
passes approximately $12.8 million along to volunteer fire departments across the state each year, helping
them purchase equipment to better protect lives and property.
“TFS’s Rural VFD Assistance Program is great,” Vargas said. “Without programs like this one, our department
would not be able to survive and we would not be able to effectively fight the fires we respond to.”
To learn more about this program visit texasfd.com.