Texas Farm Bureau gives $550K to firefighters

The San Angelo Standard-Times

SAN ANTONIO — More than $550,000 has been delivered to help volunteer fire departments across the state in a matching donation program between county farm bureaus and the Texas Farm Bureau, according to a news release.

"A thin line of volunteer firemen have made a stand to protect lives, property and livestock as fires sparked by this epic drought continue to rampage across the state," said TFB President Kenneth Dierschke.

"County Farm Bureaus are taking notice — recognizing the dedication of these local heroes and offering financial support as departments frantically scramble to repair and replace equipment."

As of Monday, county farm bureaus had donated $151,642 for volunteer fire department relief. Matching those donations on a $3 to $1 basis — up to a maximum of $1,000 per fire department — TFB has contributed an additional $401,272 for a total of $552,914.

Nearly 13,000 fires have burned more than 3 million acres in Texas because of extremely dry conditions since November.

Monetary donations ensure these fire departments have funds to keep responding to emergencies, Dierschke said.

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