The Brownwood Fire Department was among eight agencies that received a $100,000 engine Tuesday as part of a grant through the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System, administered by Texas Forest Service.
The awarding of this equipment is the first of its kind and is part of a long-term strategic plan to develop TIFMAS resources around the state.
The TIFMAS grant program was created in the 2009 Legislature under Senate Bill 1011 and is maintained by Texas Forest Service. The TIFMAS grant program is a collaborative effort of the Texas Fire Chiefs Association, State Firemen’s and Fire Marshal’s Association, Texas State Association of Fire Fighters, Texas Commission on Fire Protection and Texas Forest Service.
TIFMAS, under the direction of Texas Forest Service and the TIFMAS state coordinator, offers training, equipment and vehicle grants, credentialing standards and mobilization systems to make statewide use of local resources. The program was first mobilized during Hurricane Ike to provide an organized response strategy for the needed resources. Since its inception, TIFMAS has mobilized both resources and personnel for three significant state events including Hurricane Ike, 2009 winter wildfires and Hurricane Alex.
According to Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright, the truck was awarded to the city but remains a state asset and under the grant provisions is to be available for use throughout the state wherever it is needed to aid during disasters. This includes not only fire disasters, but also situations such as hurricanes, tornado damage, flooding and helping to create landing zones in devastated areas.
The truck is a Ford F-550 which is a Type 6 with wildland specifications according to Chief Albright.
“This is the ground floor (of TIFMAS). I am a true believer of the Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System,” stated Albright who is also a coordinator for TIFMAS.
Brownwood was fortunate to be one of the eight cities awarded the grant due to qualifications such as being centrally located, having a paid fire department, and having the capability to use the truck extensively in a large area.
TIFMAS will deliver eight more Type VI Units in late March across the state in addition to providing training and safety equipment to fire departments. TIFMAS will continue to strategically award vehicles annually across the state based on the TIFMAS acquisition schedule.
“This is a really unique and mutually beneficial program, and Texas Forest Service is proud to be a part of it,” said Assistant Chief Regional Fire Coordinator Steve Pollock.
Pictured above are firefighters with the new brush truck (left to right): Lt. Shannon Stone, Evan Owen, Lt. James Lemond, Brent Bruton, Jake Landess, Bed Edwards, Ron Groom, Brent Holley, Assistant Chief Grady Shuey and Chief Del Albright.
Below are pictures of the truck along with Chief Albright receiving the keys at Tuesday’s ceremony.
Chief Albright is handed the keys to the new TIFMAS brush truck
View of the Custom Decals
Assistant Chief Shuey demonstrates the truck’s features.
Showing the crew how the radios work. The truck is equipped with radios with frequency capabilities that enable communications even when helping with disasters in other states.
