The Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department recently received an emergency drinking water donation from Anheuser- Busch and its wholesaler partners.
This contribution is part of a larger nationwide effort to support volunteer firefighters, who make up 65% of the U.S. fire service and often face challenges due to limited funding and resources.
The Pipe Creek Volunteer Fire Department is one of 51 fire departments in Texas receiving this life-saving donation.
Nearly 120,000 cans of water will be delivered to Texas departments alone, helping to prepare firefighters for the grueling conditions they face during emergencies.
The Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program, launched by Anheuser- Busch in 2019, is part of the company’s broader disaster preparedness initiative.
For over a century, Anheuser- Busch has been a significant supporter of disaster relief efforts in the United States, partnering with organizations such as the American Red Cross to deliver emergency drinking water to communities affected by natural disasters.
In Texas alone, the company has donated more than 450,000 cans of water this year to support flood relief efforts in East Texas and for Hurricane Beryl relief efforts in Houston.
“Our continued partnership with the NVFC and volunteer firefighters across the country embodies the rich heritage of Anheuser- Busch and our commitment to supporting our communities when they need us most,” said Cesar Vargas, Chief External Affairs Officer at Anheuser-Busch. “Together with our wholesaler partners, we are honored to leverage our production, packaging, and logistics capabilities to assist the firefighters who bravely protect us every day.”
The partnership between Anheuser- Busch and the NVFC not only helps volunteer fire departments stay prepared for emergencies but also allows these departments to reallocate scarce financial resources.
By providing much-needed water, the program frees up money that can be spent on other critical needs, such as equipment, training, and maintenance.
For small volunteer fire departments like Pipe Creek, which operates on a limited budget, the donation is especially impactful.
Volunteer fire departments often have to stretch their funding to cover everything from equipment to fuel and training, leaving little room for basic supplies like bottled water.
John Martin, president of R&K Distributors, which helped facilitate the distribution of water in Texas, emphasized the importance of the donation.
“In the Texas heat, hydration is essential for everyone, but especially for our volunteer firefighters,” said Martin. “This year, we are proud to work with Anheuser-Busch to bring emergency drinking water to volunteer fire departments across the state so that our first responders stay hydrated and prepared for when disaster strikes.”
In regions like Pipe Creek, where wildfires and extreme weather conditions are common, staying hydrated is crucial for firefighters’ performance and safety.
The need for clean, safe drinking water during wildfire suppression and other extended emergency operations can be a constant challenge.
Chief Kenneth W. Lee of the Powell Town Volunteer Fire Department in Broaddus, TX, echoed these sentiments, noting how physically demanding firefighting can be on small, volunteer crews.
“Most of the fires we respond to are forest fires,” said Lee. “These fires can be draining on our small, volunteer department both physically and financially. Oftentimes, they take several days to contain. We can’t thank Anheuser-Busch and R&K Distributors enough for helping us ensure we have enough water to go around during these strenuous incidents.”
As part of the broader emergency preparedness initiative, the partnership with the NVFC has delivered nearly 9 million cans of clean drinking water to over 2,000 volunteer fire departments across 49 states since 2019.
“We’re excited to continue our long-standing partnership with Anheuser-Busch to support local VFDs across the nation with emergency drinking water,” said NVFC Chair Steve Hirsch. “This vital resource ensures that firefighters can safely protect themselves and our towns year-round.”
With its continued focus on disaster preparedness and relief efforts, Anheuser-Busch remains a critical ally to volunteer fire departments across the country, including those like Pipe Creek, that are on the frontlines of disaster response.
For more information about the Emergency Drinking Water for Wildland Firefighters Program, visit www.nvfc.org/water.
