ARLINGTON, Texas -- Texas native Lance Berkman was looking for a way to help out the residents of West after the April 17 explosion devastated the town.
A fire truck seemed like the perfect fit.
Berkman will make the donation of a Ford Commercial Pumper Fire Truck to the West Volunteer Fire Department official Saturday as part of the City of West night.
Wednesday Berkman got to show off the truck, which is a refurbished 1998 model that has Berkman's No. 27 on the side of it as well as the West Volunteer FD logo.
"Whoever came up the idea of doing this originally it was a great idea," said Berkman. "It's unbelievable (the explosion). You can't imagine the destruction on that level. I haven't been there personally and seen the devastation first hand but from all accounts, it's an unimaginable type explosion that leveled several city blocks. I don't think until you've experienced something like that you'd know what it would be like."
The Rangers worked with the Arlington Fire Department to have the truck loaded with the proper gear for West. The Rangers worked with the AFD last year when Nelson Cruz was part of a donation of a fire truck in his home country of Dominican Republic.
All three of the West fire trucks were destroyed in the explosion. Two had already been donated before Berkman stepped forward with the third one.
Texas general manager Jon Daniels said Berkman exemplifies the kind of players the Rangers have in the clubhouse.
"It's a great deal for the guys to reach out to the community," Daniels said. "Everything we're involved with in the Rangers Foundation is one thing. Some of these guys have their individual and family charities their involved with. Reaching back out to communities in all different ways is what makes this clubhouse special."
