Woodville Volunteer Fire Department received a $16,000 cost share grant through the
Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. The
department purchased a variety of firefighting and rescue tools to enhance their capacity.
Having the right tools is half the job.
“We appreciate the grant that we received for tools that will help when fighting everything from wildland and
structure fires to vehicle fires,” said Fire Chief Alan Gartner. “The tools are in service and we have already had
the occasion to use some of them. The scene lights were very beneficial recently when we had to do an
extrication from a bus.”
According to Gartner, they received take down lighting that will illuminate the complete area around the fire
truck and also lights to attach to the firefighter’s bunker coat to help with entering a structure at night, both
types of lights will help increase the safety of firefighters.
“Also included in the grant was a very important device to help replenish water for our fire engines,” said
Gartner. “It is a floating pump that will pump water from a natural source or swimming pool and will help keep
the water flowing, giving us more firefighting capability.”
Fund raising is a crucial part of helping to meet the needs of any volunteer fire department.
The Woodville Volunteer Fire Department has a fishing tournament scheduled for June 29, 2019, call the
department for information, (409) 283-2103.
They also have open enrollment for volunteers. To apply come to one of their meetings held the second and
fourth Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at the station, 400 West Bluff in Woodville.
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 Texas State Legislature and administered by
Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides 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, please visit http://texasfd.com.