Texas A&M Forest Service Converts Military Cargo Truck into New Firetruck for Earth VFD
In association with the Earth Volunteer Fire Department, the Texas A&M Forest Service has converted a former U.S. Army heavy-duty truck into a firetruck.
It took four months of work to convert the 1994 5-ton transport truck into a working firetruck.
Restoration work on the BMY M923A2 Military Cargo truck including replacing the soft top cab, sand blasting and painting the truck, adding a 1,650-gallon poly tank and a water cannon that will deliver 250 gallons of water per minute, according to the TAMU Forest Service.
“Over 60 percent of our territory is grass land and sandy hills,” said Earth VFD Fire Chief Mathew Goe. “A conventional truck would get stuck in this type of terrain but the six-wheel drive is perfect for getting out to the wildland fires.”
The vehicle was provided to the Earth VFD through the Department of Defense Firefighter Property Program administered by Texas A&M Forest Service.
Earth is located about 65 miles northwest of Lubbock in Lamb County.
Here is a 'before' photo of the cargo truck gifted to the Earth VFD:
The DoD Firefighter Property Program provides excess military equipment to fire departments and emergency service providers. Launched in Texas in 2005, this program has released over 300 retired military trucks to VFDs across the state to help them better protect lives and property. The USDA Forest Service oversees the program. Texas A&M Forest Service picks up the vehicle from a military installation, performs necessary repairs and delivers it to the Volunteer Fire Department at no cost to them.