Henly Volunteer Fire Department increases wildland firefighting capacity

The Henly Volunteer Fire Department (Hays County ESD #6) has accepted a grant through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. The $200,000 cost share grant helped purchase a 2020 tender.

“This tender is the missing link that will enable us to get water to the front line of a wildland fire which is the key to keeping those types of fires small,” said Hays County ESD #6 Fire Chief Scott Collard. “It will be a contributing factor in containing wildland fires.”

The apparatus has seating for four, remote front bumper monitor and sweep nozzles, four-wheel-drive, protective steel underbody, 1,500-gallon water tank and Class A foam capability.

“The truck can deploy a lot of water giving it the ability to provide direct support to the wildland engines, “said Collard.

The truck is rugged and can successfully get into the canyons and rural areas.

“The new tactical water tender for Henly VFD will greatly increase the department’s ability to fight wildland fire,” said Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Fire Coordinator William Hood. “Fire hydrants and adequate water supplies are often scarce on wildland fires, but with this new tender the department will be able to provide an auxiliary source of water for wildland fire engines. Henly VFD provides mutual aid to many departments in the surrounding area, so the benefits of this new piece of equipment will not only impact Hays County, but several surrounding counties as well.”

Training is ongoing, giving the firefighters opportunities to become familiar with the truck and the new control options.

Henly VFD serves a population of about 7,000 and are grateful for this new addition to give their department greater capacity.

“I would like to express our thanks to Texas A&M Forest Service for giving us the grant opportunity, our community for their unwavering support and our truck committee for coming up with a great design,” said Collard.

Texas A&M Forest Servic is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost share program funded by the Texas State Legislature and administered by Texas A&M Forest Service. This program provides funding to rural Volunteer Fire Departments for the acquisition of firefighting vehicles, fire and rescue equipment, protective clothing, dry-hydrants, computer systems and firefighter training.