Center Hill VFD increases fleet capacity

Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department accepted a cost share grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. The grant was used to purchase a slipon unit that was installed onto a 2013 Stewart Stevenson truck.

“Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department’s new fire apparatus once served in the military and this veteran now has a new mission,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator, Josh Bardwell. “The department operates on a limited budget and has fabricated and maintained their own fleet for years so it was a relatively simple task for them to make this truck a capable emergency response vehicle at minimal cost. From high water rescues to wildfires, this new addition will enhance the department for years to come.”

The unit has already been used to help fight two wildland fires and will be very useful for structure and car fires as well.

“Our department is pleased to have received a grant to help complete a much needed apparatus that has a 1,000-gallon poly water tank and a foam system,” said Center Hill VFD Fire Chief Keith Duncan. “The unit has already been used to help fight two wildland fires.”

The department serves a rural area with homes, structures, timber industry and ranch land so they appreciated being able to replace a 1987 apparatus that was having mechanical problems.

“In 2011 our department helped battle the Bear Creek Fire that burned over 40,000 acres,” said Duncan. “Having this slip-on and truck will assist in increasing our capacity, if called on again to protect our area in such a major event.”

Center Hill Volunteer Fire Department was established in 1990 and has 20 volunteer responders. Anyone wishing to join the department and donate their time back to the community may contact Fire Chief Keith Duncan through the Center Hill VFD Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-Hill-Volunteer-Fire-Department/163...

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 Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides 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 .