Press Release – Early Community Firefighters received two cost share grants through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The department used the funds to purchase a much needed slip-on unit and rescue equipment.

A slip-on unit is a complete self-contained firefighting system designed for a pick-up truck or custom built vehicle platform and is used in wildland firefighting as well as structure and automobile fires.

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“The slip-on unit is replacing an older, outdated unit that needed a lot of work,” said Community Firefighters Chief Chad Hill. “This slip-on has a 400-gallon water tank and a 12-gallon foam tank and we have the capability to use class A and B foam. It will make firefighting and mop-up so much faster and the potential for a fire to reignite is considerably less.”

The rescue equipment includes two air packs, a rescue chain saw and thermal imaging camera.

A thermal imaging camera helps firefighters detect hot spots in walls, ceilings or attics and is capable of sensing through smoke or darkness. They are often used in search and rescue because it will detect the body heat of an individual.

“All of the equipment is in service,” said Hill. “We have used the thermal imaging camera to look for hot spots in a structure fire. It helps to make sure all the areas are extinguished without lingering heat sources.”

Early Community Firefighters, Inc. has served their 101-square-mile protection area in Brown County since 1961.  They have always looked for better, safer ways to protect life and property.

“Safety is a priority for our department,” said Hill. “The slip-on unit, camera and other tools will help increase our firefighter’s capacity to work safer in our community and also will have the tools available for mutual aid.”

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.