New gear
East-end growth causes increased need for truck
By MAT TAYLOR Special Correspondent

PHOTOS BY MAT TAYLOR Kempner Volunteer Fire Department recently demonstrated its new CAFS fire truck which uses a compressed air foam system that enables the department to quickly suppress structure and vehicle fires in less time with fewer firefighters.

Kempner Volunteer Fire Department recently showed off its new state-of-the-art fire truck to invited guests and the press.

The 2007 custom pumper truck features a compressed-air foam system that uses water five to 10 times more efficiently by turning the spray into a soapy foam.

Kempner VFD Fire Chief Dan Hause said the compressed-air foam system increases the surface area of each water droplet, which removes oxygen from a fire and helps suppress the blaze.

The new technology is important for a small community like Kempner, as the surrounding rural areas do not have access to fire hydrants, and the fire department has to supply its own water with tanker trucks, Hause said.

"The foam also extinguishes flames from a safer distance, blanketing the fire in a thick white suds," he said.

Plaques were presented to PEC economic development representative John Risher, above right, by Kempner VFD Chief Dan Hause in appreciation of Risher's assistance in writing and preparing FEMA and LCRA grant applications, while Steve Dyer, below, LCRA public affairs representative, accepts a plaque from the Kempner VFD in appreciation of LCRA's grant funding.

"Additionally, the foam cools the air faster, improving safety for the firefighters and victims."

The new truck will enable a firefighter to battle a blaze without leaving the truck, and fewer volunteers are needed to operate the truck, Hause explained. "This is especially important for a volunteer department, as you never know how many volunteers can respond to a particular fire."

The truck was delivered to the Kempner Fire Station in September, and volunteer firefighters have been undergoing training on its operation. The vehicle is expected to be placed into service within a few weeks.

Kempner VFD acquired the truck at a cost of $298,000. To fund its purchase, Hause applied for a Federal Emergency Management Agency grant three times before being awarded $273,600.

The Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative also awarded a $24,875 grant toward the department's funding match, and to purchase and upgrade firefighting and rescue equipment.

"This state-of-the-art machine is what the world is slowly going to because they are very expensive, and we certainly wouldn't be able to afford it without these grants," said Bud Broeker, Kempner VFD president.

"Also, we would not have acquired these grants without the hard work and diligence of our fire chief, Dan Hause."

Hause expressed his appreciation to FEMA, LCRA and PEC for the grants. "I especially want to thank PEC Economic Development representative John Risher, who provided invaluable assistance in helping us write the grant applications," the chief said.

In addition to the foam system -- which allows firefighters to use just water, compressed-air foam or soapy foam to fight a blaze -- the new fire truck offers increased compartment space where four personnel can ride in air-conditioned comfort. The truck also boasts an intercom system and a portable monitor.

The vehicle has a 1,000-gallon water storage tank.

Kempner VFD is the first department in the area to acquire such a truck, as neither Copperas Cove, Lampasas nor Killeen have a CAFS fire truck.

Kempner VFD has mutual aid agreements with Lampasas, Copperas Cove, Oakalla, Adamsville and other area volunteer fire departments, and the new equipment will be available to assist those departments when requested.

Lampasas County Judge Wayne Boultinghouse said the purchase of the truck is a progressive move for the Kempner VFD.

"As this area of the county continues to grow, the department saw an increasing need in dealing with increased structure fires," he said.

The Kempner department was founded in April 1972, and its primary purpose at that time was to control grass and brush fires. It now serves a rapidly growing population of more than 10,500 residents in a 125-square-mile area of eastern Lampasas County.

"In the 15 years I have been a member of the department, we have seen a shift in the type of fires from grass and brush fires to more structure fires," Hause said. "Our new truck will help control structure fires as well as vehicle and other types of fires. We have to shift to stay up with the times and protect the community."

In the past three years, the department has applied for and received about $500,000 in grants from several sources. Funds have been used to upgrade the department's equipment and for training.

The LCRA-PEC grant is one of 22 totaling $432,290 awarded recently through LCRA's Community Development councils and other non-profit organizations in the LCRA electric and water service area.