Precincts 2, 3 and 4 of the Brazos County Volunteer Fire Department each received a $30,000 grant from the Texas A&M Forest Service to help with the purchase of new personal protective equipment.
The overview
According to a news release, the Forest Service granted $19.6 million to 518 rural volunteer fire departments statewide to improve firefighting capabilities. This grant funding is the first for fiscal year 2026-27 under the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
Texas A&M Forest Service program leader Merrie Noak said rural fire departments are extremely important for populations living in areas without access to city fire departments.
“We are committed to strengthening our local responders across Texas by providing critically needed equipment and resources to save lives and protect property when it matters most,” Noak said in a statement.
As previously reported by Community Impact, the Brazos County Volunteer Fire Department received $300,000 from the Forest Service in June to secure new equipment and a large fire truck.
Major takeaways
The grants will help volunteer fire departments in Brazos County with expenses, covering hundreds of square miles. The Brazos County Firefighters Association details the volunteer fire department areas:
South Brazos County VFD: Allen Farm, Millican, Wellborn, Hwy. 6 South
Brazos County District 2 VFD: city of Kurten, city of Wixon Valley, Edge, Tabor and Macey communities
Brazos County Precinct 3 VFD: Steephollow, Harvey and Reliance communities, Hwy. 30
Brazos County Precinct 4 VFD: Benchley, Smetana and Brushy communities, Hwy. 21 West