Texas A&M Forest Service awarded a $100,000 grant for the purchase of a new brush truck to Simms District Volunteer Fire Department through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The new truck has a 400-gallon water tank and a water turret on the front bumper, which can be operated remotely by a volunteer from inside the truck.
Beard plans for the truck to be used as the department’s first-out, fast-response vehicle.
Established in 1974, Simms District VFD serves a population of 2,500 people over an area of 171 square miles.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost-share program funded by the Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural VFDs for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.