Howardwick gets grant for new firetruck

Howardwick has been approved for a Texas Forest Service grant to get a new truck to replace the one that was lost battling the I-40 fire on March 12.

Fire Chief Robert Cole said his department was notified Friday that the state agency had given the go ahead for the $108,000 award. Ten percent of that must be matched by the city.

“We haven’t ordered the new truck yet, but it will be what we call a pump and roll truck that can do anything,” Cole said.

The chief said he estimates that more than $3,000 has been donated to the fund at Community Bank to help the city replace the truck.

The forest service has also given the department a 2.5-ton flatbed truck, courtesy of the Federal Excess Personal Property (FEPP) equipment program, through which military equipment is loaned to qualifying departments at no cost for as long as the equipment is in use.

The FEPP program is just one of several aid programs available to volunteer fire departments to help them protect the communities they serve.

The forest service also provides local training in wildland firefighting and assists with applications for assistance.

Cole said Howardwick has submitted one of those applications, which, if approved, would provide $2,500 for equipment to outfit the truck obtained through the FEPP program.