Beech Grove VFD Awarded $345,000 in State Grants for First-Ever New Fire Truck and Equipment
- Rita Shipp
- Oct 14
- 2 min read
BEECH GROVE, Texas — Beech Grove Volunteer Fire Department is celebrating a major milestone this week after receiving two state grants totaling $345,000 through the Texas A&M Forest Service’s Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program.
The grants include $300,000 for a new tanker truck and $45,000 for a slip-on skid unit — marking the first brand-new fire apparatus ever purchased by the department.
“This is truly a historic moment for our department,” said Beech Grove Fire Chief James Gunter. “We’ve relied on used and refurbished equipment for decades. Having a brand-new truck for the first time ever means faster response times, better reliability, and improved safety for both our firefighters and the community we serve.”
The grant requires a local funding match, which will be provided by Jasper County Emergency Services District #4.
Statewide Investment in Rural Fire Departments
The Beech Grove awards are part of a record-setting $164 million in total funding announced Tuesday by the Texas A&M Forest Service, supporting 558 fire trucks and 321 slip-on units for volunteer fire departments across Texas.
This marks the largest single funding allocation in the program’s history, following action by the 89th Texas Legislature, which approved a one-time $192 million appropriation for departments that submitted requests by November 2024.
Since its creation in 2001, the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program has awarded more than $500 million statewide for firefighting vehicles, rescue tools, protective gear, and training.
“These grants are lifelines for rural departments,” Gunter added. “Volunteer firefighters cover a huge part of Texas, and this program ensures that even small communities have access to modern, reliable equipment when seconds count.”
What’s Next
Texas A&M Forest Service officials said additional funding rounds for protective gear, rescue tools, and training will continue over the coming months.
Departments can monitor new funding opportunities through FireConnect, the agency’s online grant portal, which streamlines the application and reporting process for fire departments statewide.
Beech Grove’s new tanker and skid unit are expected to be ordered soon, with delivery anticipated in 2026.
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