File photo
File photo
The Hemphill and Six Mile volunteer fire departments received $200,000 each in Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program grants to help increase their ability to fight fires.
“The Texas A&M System and The Texas A&M Forest Service are here to support and thank the volunteer firefighters in rural Texas who make sacrifices every day for their communities," Texas A&M System Chancellor John Sharp said. "Lawmakers – like Rep. Chris Paddie – also deserve praise for understanding the need to protect the people and property of rural Texas.”
One of the main problems that these rural departments are dealing with is the lack of adequate water sources in the area. The funding will help them with this issue.
“The Six Mile VFD tender has a 2,000-gallon water tank and will be our front-line apparatus, increasing our water capacity on arrival at a fire scene and will be especially beneficial in the areas where there aren’t many fire hydrants," Six Mile VFD Fire Chief Lonnie Johnston said.
The grants are expected to help the two departments put out fires faster and more effectively, saving millions in property damage and reducing the risk of loss of life from a fire.
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