Just before Christmas, Tarkington VFD took delivery of a new fire engine. The $390,000 purchase would not have been impossible for the all-volunteer agency if not for the assistance of the Texas Forest Service, which helped by covering half of the costs.
Representatives from Texas Forest Service on Jan. 16 came to the fire station on SH 321 in Tarkington to see what the money had purchased and were pleased to see the gleaming fire engine that will allow Tarkington Fire Department to move its older but still operational 1999-model fire engine to the TVFD substation on FM 787.
The new fire engine has a four-man cab, holds 1,000 gallons of water and is capable of pumping out 1,250 gallons of water per minute. Decked out with light bars and a 24-foot extension ladder, the fire truck also offers A & B foam. Class A foam is used for fighting fires that involve wood, cotton and other similar fuel sources. Class B is used for fighting fires involving gasoline, diesel and other fuels.
