Valley fire departments get grants, new equipment

MERCEDES, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Some Valley firefighters will now have more reliable equipment to fight fire thanks to a grant from a forest protection agency, the Texas A&M Forest Service. It is dedicated to helping rural fire departments with fewer resources.

Mercedes Fire Department Lt. Justin Mora said it is time for the team to part ways with its 17-year-old water tanker.

The fire department is getting $345,000 worth of equipment through the Texas A&M Forest Service $164 million grant awarded to small and volunteer departments across the state.

Mora said that their current tanker's time in service has been on countless calls around town. The department averages about 30 calls a month.

Part of that bundle is a new, 3,500-gallon water tanker. Mora said it holds an extra 500 gallons than their current tanker.

"It is safe to say that is an extra four minutes of firefighting time," said Mora.

Mora said a water tanker is important, especially in areas where access to water is challenging.

 That is why tankers are automatically dispatched with fire engines to rural communities.

Mora says in some cases, it can be a life-or-death situation.

"It is basically a life safety issue," said Mora. "So, if you don't have water, you can't put the fire out, so taking the water with you in areas they don't have water is very important."

Mercedes will also get a new tank, hose and pump apparatus as a part of the grant, that will be strapped to the back of one of its trucks.

The fire department will also salvage some of the tanker's parts for reuse.

In Raymondville, Fire chief Oscar Gutierrez said the fire department is set to get a new 500-gallon brush fire truck, thanks to this same grant.

It's worth $165,000 and will replace the 14-year-old truck, which carries a lot of gear like extraction tools.

In a rural area like Willacy County, Gutierrez said there is no time to waste in an emergency.

"Reliability of these trucks to be able to respond rapidly," said Gutierrez. "To be able in a time of need for the life of protection and property.

The Mercedes fire department said it is headed to Louisiana Tuesday to pick up their new truck.

Sullivan City and Rio Grande City fire crews are also getting a chunk of the grant.