Dateline: August 9, 2001

Howardwick gets $25k grant for fire truck  

Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

The Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department was awarded a $24,750 federal grant last week to purchase a 750-gallon pumper truck, according to US Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas).

Fire Chief Joe Zeyen said his department has ordered a reconditioned 1977 Ford F-700 with a front mount pumper, which will be a great asset to the city.

“This will be a rural truck designed for departments like ours and capable of handling these roads out here,” Zeyen said.

Funds for the grant were awarded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and Zeyen says less than one percent of the fire departments making an application received the grant. More than 19,000 departments applied.

Zeyen credits letters of support from Donley County Judge Jack Hall and US Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Clarendon) as being very important to the city’s application but says he thinks a higher authority was involved with Howardwick beating the odds.

“The Man upstairs is the biggest reason we got this. We were really blessed.”

FEMA is awarding more than $100 million to assist firefighters nationwide.

“These funds will help equip our brave firefighters who stand ready to protect our homes and families,” Sen. Gramm said. “I am pleased that some of the tax dollars sent by Texans to Washington are being returned to help save lives among firefighters and the people they serve here in Texas.”

The reconditioned pumper will bring the 10-member department’s fleet total to four trucks plus one tanker, and it will be the best pumper the city has ever had. Zeyen said the city’s old pumper was a 1956 model and was worn out.

“I’ve been trying for three years to get a new one, but we couldn’t because of our budget.”

After the new truck is paid for, the city will have $4,500 left over from the grant to purchase additional equipment for the vehicle.

The grant application was prepared by John Kiehl of the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission about six months ago, and the Howardwick aldermen formally accepted the grant last Tuesday during a called meeting. The city should receive the money on about August 15.

Zeyen says the new truck is undergoing final testing in South Boston, Virginia, and should be delivered by the end of August.