Several volunteer fire depart ments in the tri-county area have been awarded a much-needed infusion of cash to help with essential firefighting equipment and training.
The 89th Texas Legislature marked its largest allocation of awards and is in its first phase of dis tributing over $192 million to Texas volunteer fire departments.
Texas A&M Forest Service awarded the grant money through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
"Texas fire departments are the front line of local response and their equipment capacity is vital to response time and effectiveness,” said Al Davis, Texas A&M Forest Service director. “This historic funding re- flects the strong support of the Texas
Legislature and the governor. Their investment allows us to continue sup- porting and equipping firefighters who protect Texas’s lives and property.”
Additional funding for fire and rescue equipment, personal protective equipment, training aids and dry hydrants will be awarded over the coming months.
Local volunteer fire departments that were awarded grants, the amount and what it is to be spent on:
•Bernardo — $300k for a water tender;
•Blieblerville — $300k for a water tender;
•Columbus — $300k for a water tender;
•Ellinger — $165k for a small brush truck;
•Frelsburg — $165k for a small brush truck;
•Ledbetter — $300k for a water tender;
•New Ulm — $300k for a water tender and $45k for a slip-on unit;
•Oakland — $600k for two water tenders and $45k for a slip-on unit;
•Rock Island — $265k for a large brush truck;
•San Felipe — $300k for a water tender;
•Sealy — $300k for a water tender;
•Shelby — $300k for a water tender;
•Sheridan — $300k for a water tender and $45k for a slip-on unit; and
•Wallis — $300k for a water tender.
