Kirvin Community Volunteer Fire Department transformed a 1997 Stewart Stevenson into a brush truck capable of fighting wildland fires and navigating high water, they even added the best emergency vehicle lights to it. It was awarded through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program (DoD) along with a $20,000 grant for a slip-on unit through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, both programs administered through Texas A&M Forest Service.
“This truck has all-wheel-drive and will be able to get into areas that are demanding,” said Kirvin VFD Fire Chief Ken Sessions. “We added a 600-gallon water tank, 20-gallon foam tank and a remote control turret for the front. These changes helped to complete the conversion and make it possible to be operated by one firefighter if necessary, all of our trucks are fully covered with trucker insurance, we are aware of the importance of insuring your vehicle for its real value ”
The DoD Property Program requires the recipient to paint the vehicle a non-military color and convert it to perform an emergency response function within 180 days of acquisition.
“The department completed a great conversion on this truck and it will be an asset to both the Kirvin Volunteer Fire Department and to the surrounding mutual aid area, it is equipped with retro-fit reversing camera from Truck Electrics” said Matthew Whelan, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator.
Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through various fire department assistance programs. The Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program launched in Texas in 2005, is one such program and has released over 600 retired military trucks to volunteer fire departments across the state. The agency transports the vehicle from a military installation, performs necessary repairs and delivers it to the volunteer fire department at no cost to them. The Texas A&M Forest Service excess military equipment program is sponsored by the USDA Forest Service which also oversees the national program.
For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.
