Washington County Commissioners Court Approves $32,500 in Grant Matching Funds for Chappell Hill VFD
- Chappell Hill VFD
- Jul 16
- 3 min read
The Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department is proud to announce that the Washington County Commissioners Court has approved $32,500 in grant matching funds to support several critical fire protection projects that will directly enhance emergency response capabilities within our district.
This funding represents another significant investment in public safety and demonstrates the continued partnership between Washington County and its volunteer fire departments.
Strengthening Rural Fire Protection
The largest portion of the funding, $30,000, will help offset the local cost of a new OSCO 4,000-gallon water tender built on a 2027 Peterbilt 548 chassis.
The new tender will replace the department's current 1998 Mack water tender, which has faithfully served our community for many years. While the existing apparatus has been an important part of our fleet, it has been experiencing increasing mechanical issues due to its age.
The new apparatus will provide:
4,000-gallon water capacity
1,000 GPM fire pump
10-inch swivel dump valve for efficient rural water shuttle operations
4,000-gallon portable drop tank storage
Modern safety and warning systems
Increased reliability for emergency response
For a rural department serving approximately 100 square miles, a dependable water supply is critical. Many areas within our district lack access to municipal hydrants, making water tenders among the most important apparatus on the fireground.
Leveraging Grant Funding
The total cost of the new water tender is $403,825.
Through the Texas A&M Forest Service Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, CHVFD has accepted a $300,000 grant award toward the purchase of the apparatus.
The county's contribution significantly reduces the local financial burden while allowing the department to continue advancing the project. Even with grant funding and county assistance, CHVFD will still be responsible for approximately $75,000, which will likely be financed by the department.
Investing in Firefighter Safety
The Commissioners Court also approved:
$1,250 toward the department's Firefighter Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) grant
$1,250 toward the Fire and Rescue Equipment grant
The PPE grant will help purchase:
One complete set of structural firefighting gear
Replacement of 10 SCBA bottles
Currently, 23 SCBA bottles within the department are approaching their 15-year service life. Replacing these bottles ensures firefighters can continue operating safely and reliably during emergency incidents.
The Fire and Rescue Equipment grant will provide additional equipment for both existing apparatus and the new water tender, including hoses, nozzles, fittings, drafting equipment, and other essential fireground tools.
Responsible Stewardship
Before selecting the new apparatus, the department obtained multiple competitive quotes from apparatus manufacturers.
The selected OSCO proposal not only offered the lowest overall cost but also the largest water capacity, making it the best overall value for the department's operational needs.
CHVFD remains committed to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, grant funding, and community donations by carefully evaluating every major purchase.
Thank You, Washington County
The members of the Chappell Hill Volunteer Fire Department extend our sincere appreciation to the Washington County Commissioners Court for recognizing the importance of investing in public safety and supporting the volunteer fire service.
We also thank County Judge John Durrenberger, Commissioners Kirk Hanath, Dustin Majewski, Misti Corn, and Candice Bullock for their continued commitment to protecting the citizens of Washington County.
Their support helps ensure that our firefighters have the equipment and resources necessary to continue providing professional emergency services to the Chappell Hill community and surrounding areas.
As always, we remain committed to serving our community with professionalism, integrity, and dedication. We look forward to placing the new water tender into service in 2027 and continuing to strengthen emergency response capabilities for years to come.
Check out our presentation to the Commissioners Court!
Comments