“We’re lucky to get these grants,” Formica added, referring to the two grants totaling over $600,000 the department received through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for new air packs and an exhaust system inside the firehouse to remove toxic fumes from the truck’s exhaust.  

Formica said that the fire district does not have the resources to come up with that kind of money when considering other expenses like pensions, salaries and maintenance.

The tender was purchased with a $200,000 cost share grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.  

A water tender, also known as a tanker in some regions, is a specialized firefighting apparatus designed for transporting water from a water source to a fire scene.

 

The truck also has a 3,000-gallon water drop tank and increased storage space for equipment.