Watch: Grape Creek VFD Christens New 6,000-Gallon Capacity Water Pumper and Tender Fire Truck

SAN ANGELO, TX — The Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department christened its newest addition to its family of fire trucks Saturday.

The new truck is the largest of all VFD trucks and will serve primarily as a pumper-tender for fighting all types of fires. Finding funding to purchase the $282,000 truck was a six-year-long project, explained Deputy Fire Chief Jose Rivera. The first grant awarded was from the Texas Forestry Service that took several years to obtain approval. Additional funding sources were also needed. He said $82,000 came from private foundations that traditionally fund the VFD.

WATCH: Grape Creek VFD's new fire truck:

The truck holds over 3,000 gallons of water and has additional water delivery capabilities with a 3,000 gallon drop tank. The truck can deliver 6,000 gallons of water to a fire fighting a fire without resupply. It is the largest water-carrying trucks in Tom Green County, Rivera said. It can pump over 1,000 gallons per minute.

“We take great pride in it,” Rivera said.

Saturday, volunteers, their families, and community supporters participated in what Rivera called a “Wash Down, Push-In” for the new truck. The new fire truck was hosed down and celebrants were given commemorative red towels to wipe down the new truck before it was pushed into the Grape Creek VFD fire station on Wren Road to begin its watch.

Grape Creek VFD was established in 1972. Its area of coverage in northern Tom Green County is growing, said Rivera. The VFD covers approximately 13,000 inhabitants in residences as well as the commercial and industrial properties.