La Feria VFD Receives $14,900 for New Rescue Extrication Tools

LA FERIA, Texas – La Feria Volunteer Fire Department received a grant through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. The cost share funds helped to purchase three, new rescue tools, one of which is a combination tool that has already been used to help save a home.

“We recently received a light weight, battery powered cutter spreader combination tool that we plan to use for light gage material,” said Fire Chief David Phinney. “Shortly after taking delivery of the tool the department responded to a grass fire. When we arrived the fire was dangerously close to a mobile home but there was a lock on the gate. We used the new tool to gain entry and were able to knock down the fire before it reached the home.”

According to Phinney, the new rescue tool will have a multipurpose use. It will be an extrication tool that will allow for quick response to pop a door open and rescue a victim after a vehicle accident or cut bars on windows and doors when forcible entry is necessary during a structure fire. Having the right tool available is important when seconds count.

“The department is happy to have these important, lifesaving tools as an addition to our resources,” said Phinney. “They will help to increase our capacity to serve the community. We appreciate Mayor Olga Maldonado, City Manager Jaime S. Sandoval and Commissioners Jesse Zuniga, Eric Hoff, Donato Garcia, Julian Guevara, Jr. and Esmeralda Lozano for stepping up to the plate to help us with the cost share. The fire department will be having a fill the boot fund raiser to help replenish the cost share portion.”

La Feria VFD was established in 1924 and proudly serves their community of 9,000 citizens. They also mutual aid with the surrounding area and will have the new tools available for use when called upon.

Fire Chief Phinney is thankful for the grant programs through Texas A&M Forest Service. Through these grants not only his department but volunteer fire departments across the state have an opportunity to gain much needed equipment that they might otherwise not be able to afford.

Texas A&M Forest Service is committed to protecting lives and property through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, a cost-share program funded by 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.

For more information on programs offered by Texas A&M Forest Service, please visit http://texasfd.com.