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New firefighting equipment has recently been purchased by both the Johnson City and the Stonewall Volunteer Fire Departments with funding from the National Park Service Rural Fire Assistance Program (RFA). Now in its second year, this program allocates money for training and for the purchase of wildland firefighting equipment by rural fire departments that provide wildland fire suppression assistance to National Park Service areas.
On Saturday, September 21, 2002, Stonewall VFD brought their newly modernized brush truck #2 to the Johnson Settlement in Johnson City for a photo opportunity. Present were Bradley Nielsen (Fire Chief) and James Nielsen (Lieutenant). This year, Stonewall VFD received $8,000.00 towards the purchase of a new slip-on firefighting unit containing foaming capabilities and a pump and tank. The department added funding to complete the purchase of this unit, which replaces an older outdated one that frequently broke down. Stonewall VFD hopes to get another slip-on unit next year to modernize their other wildland fire truck. The department has currently operates two structural engines, two wildland engines, one tanker and one rescue truck. Thirty firefighters provide fire protection for the eastern end of Gillespie County, which also includes the LBJ Ranch District of Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park.
On Wednesday, September 25, 2002, the Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department also visited the Johnson Settlement to show off their new equipment in this historic setting. Jed Felps, Johnson City VFD Lieutenant and National Park Service employee, and Lee Gay Kent, VFD Secretary and firefighter, arrived with brush truck #4. Johnson City VFD also received $8,000.00 and purchased three foam proportioners, class A foam, a 1,500 gallon portable storage tank, and fold-a-tank ground cloths. The foam capabilities will greatly enhance the department's ability to suppress wildland fires in the rapidly growing wildland/urban interface around Johnson City and throughout Blanco County. If Rural Fire Assistance Program funding is available next year, Johnson City VFD plans to purchase another proportioner as well as portable water storage tanks and portable pumps. The department is equipped with three structural fire engines, four wildland fire engines, one tanker, and one rescue truck, all operated by 23 firefighters.
The Rural Fire Assistance Program monies utilized by these two local volunteer fire departments will pay for themselves in the long run by supplementing the safety of firefighters as they protect both the property of park neighbors and National Park Service administered areas.
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