Wall VFD Receives $200K Grant for New Brush Truck

WALL, TX - Recently, the Wall Volunteer Fire Department received a $200,000 grant to purchase a new large brush truck through Texas A&M Forest Service's Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, said a press release today.

Wall Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief Dean Dickson said, “This new brush truck is replacing one that we had for about 12 years. The new truck has been a godsend and has already been out on six runs, which included auto accidents and grass fires.” 

Dickson added that the new vehicle will be used as first response to structure fires, wildland fires and accidents. The truck has telescope lighting on each side, which is important for lighting the scene of an emergency. It also has storage space for all the tools that may be needed, plus a 500-gallon water tank with foam capability. The foam helps to smother the fire for swift knock down.

“Having the capability for a quick attack on a grass fire will allow us to put the fire out faster before it has the opportunity to spread,” said Dickson.

As stated in our previous article (see here), Wall VFD receives strong support from its close-knit community that it has been serving since 1968. The community responded with funds to cover the cost share portion of the truck purchase, allowing the department to continue to operate debt free, said the release.

“We appreciate our community and Texas A&M Forest Service who has helped us for a number of years now,” said Dickson. “The grant programs that they offer have been a tremendous help, allowing us and other VFDs to receive training and updated equipment to help protect and serve our communities.”

According to the release, the Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost-shared program funded by Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. For more information on programs offered by the Forest Service, visit http://texasfd.com.