The Texas A&M Forest Service awarded about $1 million in grant funds to Texas Panhandle fire departments, including $165,000 for a small brush truck in Howardwick.
The money comes from the first round of fiscal year 2027 awards through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. A news release says the program gives cost-share funding to rural fire departments for equipment, training and other emergency response needs.
At least seven departments got $45,000 each for a slip-on unit: Armstrong County, Boys Ranch, Fritch, Groom, Lipscomb, Miami/Roberts County and Panhandle. Hedley, Hoover, Kress, McLean and Shamrock each received $30,000 for personal protective equipment, while Childress, Dumas, Gruver, Locust Grove, Memphis, Mobeetie and Perryton each got the same amount for fire and rescue equipment. Bootleg Volunteer Fire Department picked up $15,000 for training aids.
For volunteer crews in small towns like Gruver, Kress and Mobeetie, the awards mean new protective gear, rescue equipment and trucks. Howardwick's brush truck money is the largest single award among those listed. It is more than three times what a slip-on unit brought in, and 11 times Bootleg's $15,000, the smallest check on the list.
Common questions
How much money did Panhandle fire departments get from the Texas A&M Forest Service?
- About $1 million in grant funds went to Texas Panhandle fire departments. One award was $165,000 for a small brush truck in Howardwick. The money is from the first round of fiscal year 2027 awards through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
What is the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program?
- It is a Texas A&M Forest Service program that gives cost-share funding to rural fire departments. According to a news release, the money can go toward equipment, training and other emergency response needs. This round was the first of the fiscal year 2027 awards.
Which Panhandle fire departments got $45,000 for a slip-on unit?
- At least seven departments got $45,000 each for a slip-on unit: Armstrong County, Boys Ranch, Fritch, Groom, Lipscomb, Miami/Roberts County and Panhandle. Separately, Hedley, Hoover, Kress, McLean and Shamrock each received $30,000 for personal protective equipment. The list comes from a news release.
