Reagan Volunteer Fire Department receives grant for new fleet addition

Reagan Volunteer Fire Department received a $70,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. Thanks to this cost share grant the department now has a rugged firefighting machine. 

“We appreciate having the opportunity to add a 2021 apparatus to our fleet,” said Reagan VFD Fire Chief Ronnie Brown. “About 85 percent of our response calls are for grass or wildland fires so having this brush truck with its 300-gallon water tank and foam capability will give us an advantage when responding to those types of fires.” 

The benefit of mixing foam with water is that it makes the water wetter, cools the fire and coats the fuel like a blanket which helps to smother a fire and reduces rekindling of the flame.

The truck has already been used on several response calls including one 185-acre fire.

“Rural volunteer fire departments are the first line of defense for a lot of communities,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator Matthew Schlaefer. “This new apparatus will allow for quick, reliable support during fire response in the local area and in mutual aid.” 

Reagan Volunteer Fire Department has served their community since 1977 and has open enrollment for volunteers. Anyone wishing to apply may email the department at reganvfd@gmail.com or visit their Facebook page at https://bit.ly/3nYyK7B. 

“Our department would like to express gratitude to our community for their continued monetary support, part of which helped with the cost share portion of the new apparatus purchase and to Texas A&M Forest Service for having grant opportunities available to volunteer fire departments,” said Brown.

Texas A&M Forest Service is an agency operating within the Texas A&M University System and as the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administrator is committed to protecting lives, property and natural resources. The Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program is funded by Texas State 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, please visit http://texasfd.com.