Oct. 6, 2016 – COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Texas
fire departments received more than $15 million in grants Wednesday through the
Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
In the
first of three funding meetings for the year, the RVFDAP awarded 442 grants to 421
fire departments for firefighting vehicles, training and safety equipment.
Texas A&M Forest Service has administered the grant program
under the Texas Legislature since 2002, having awarded 1,655 fire engines,
69,140 pieces of protective clothing and 69,134 training tuitions to Texas fire
departments since the program’s inception.
“We are excited
to provide the grant awards today. Whether it be a wildfire, flood, tornado or
motor vehicle collision, fire departments valiantly make a difference in the
protection of life and property,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Capacity
Building Department Head Jason Keiningham.
In Texas, local fire departments are the first line of defense
against wildfires and more than 85 percent of our fire departments are
volunteer. State funding helps maintain well-trained, safe and equipped
firefighters.
Ingleside Volunteer Fire Department was one of the
departments to receive a grant Wednesday.
“The TFS grant program not only provides much needed
resources for training and equipment, but it also is key to recruitment of
personnel. The better equipped and trained your department is directly impacts
the number of people wanting to be a member of your team,” said Ingleside
Volunteer Fire Department Chief R.J. Thomas.
The RVFDAP is one way that the state helps build the capacity of
local fire departments. But the need is great. After awarding $15,016,037 in
grants this week there are still more than $170 million in outstanding
requests.
The next funding meeting is scheduled for March 2017.
Established by the 77th Texas Legislature,
RVFDAP, commonly known as House Bill 2604, provides funding to eligible fire
departments. This grant program allows Texas A&M Forest Service to build
capacity of Texas communities by providing funds to purchase life-saving
equipment and training, including firefighter protective clothing, rescue
equipment, dry-hydrants and firefighting vehicles. To learn more visit www.texasfd.com
Complete list of awards
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Contacts
Veronica
Davenport, Program Coordinator
979-458-7356,
vdavenport@tfs.tamu.edu
Texas
A&M Forest Service Communications
979-458-6606, newsmedia@tfs.tamu.edu