WOODSON, Texas — The Woodson Volunteer Fire Department received a surplus military vehicle, provided by the Texas A&M Forest Service through the Department of Defense Fire Firefighter Property Program. The department also received a $20,000 grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program to install a slip-on unit to the truck.
The truck has been painted nonmilitary colors, which was a stipulation of receiving the truck, and it has been outfitted with a large water tank and pump unit.
The truck will be used to supply water at structure fires. It will also supply water on wildfires and other mutual aid fires.
When building the truck, the department opted for a larger pump to increase the amount of water available for fires.
Woodson Volunteer Fire Department would like to thank the department, Texas A&M Forest Service, and Steele Fire Apparatus in Haskel, Texas. “Freddy Gauna, a fabricator from Albany was a huge help in converting this truck,” said Mike Mickalson, Woodson VFD Chief said.
The Woodson VFD is a small department, and help is welcomed. For more information, call (940) 345 9805.
As a member agency of the Texas A&M University System, the Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through various fire department assistance programs. The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program is funded by the Texas Legislature and provides cost-share funding to rural volunteer fire departments 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, visit http://texasfd.com.