Texas A&M Forest Service awarded a $100,000 grant for the purchase of a new brush truck to Simms District Volunteer Fire Department through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.

“Our department hasn’t had a new brush truck since 1974 and our old trucks were always having mechanical problems,” Simms District VFD Chief Paul Beard said.

The new truck has a 400-gallon water tank and a water turret on the front bumper, which can be operated remotely by a volunteer from inside the truck.

“Our department is manned by volunteers and they all work, so if there is a fire during the day this turret will allow one person to respond and put out a grass fire,” explained Beard.

Beard plans for the truck to be used as the department’s first-out, fast-response vehicle.

“It will beat the tender and large trucks to the scene and will be equipped with rescue tools ready to go to work. So the quicker we can get there, the quicker we can save lives,” Beard said.

Established in 1974, Simms District VFD serves a population of 2,500 people over an area of 171 square miles.

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 the Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural VFDs 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 their website.

 

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