Holiday Lake Estates VFD bolsters fleet

From Enterprise Staff

The Holiday Lake Estates Volunteer Fire Department used a $20,000 grant to equip a pickup with a firefighting apparatus that includes a water tank and foam unit. The grant was awarded through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, which is administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.

Chief Arthur West said the apparatus, mounted on a four-wheel drive pickup, meets the department’s needs for a second brush truck that can get to places the department’s large brush truck cannot reach.

The unit includes a 250-gallon water tank, a 12-gallon foam tank, a hose reel and a 12-horsepower motor and will be used primarily for response to grass fires.

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West said the truck responded recently to an oil tank fire and was able to easily traverse muddy roads that were inaccessible to the department’s larger vehicles.

“It’s just nice to have options like this,” West said. “We really appreciate how Texas A&M Forest Service understands the needs of smaller departments.”

West said new members are always welcome, and anyone interested is invited to attend the department’s training meetings every Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. at 224 Drews Landing in Goodrich.

As a member agency of the Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M Forest Service administers the Rural VFD Assistance Program and is committed to protecting lives, property and natural resources. 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 texasfd.com.