Press Release – Bangs Volunteer Fire Department recently received a $100,000 grant through Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.

The new vehicle is a 2016 Ford F-550 with a 500 gallon water tank, 30 gallon foam tank, bumper mounted nozzles and pump which can be operated from inside the cab, behind the gate or from the back of the truck. It also has a Firecom system allowing the driver to speak with the firefighters at the back of the truck, helping to increase fire fighter safety.

“The benefits of being able to operate the pump in different places is that the pump can be started while the firefighters are getting the hoses ready, the bumper nozzles can be in operation while moving, or while firefighters at the back of the truck are starting to spray,” explained Bangs VFD Chief Dennis Lilley.

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“Safety is a priority for our department,” said Lilley. “All the firefighters will receive training on the truck before it goes into service. This truck will help our ISO rating, which is an insurance rating that rates a communities capabilities for fire prevention and fire suppression.”

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.

For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.