LCRA, Bluebonnet Co-op award $50,000 grant for new brush truck

​​​​​Local Communities
LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $50,000 grant to the Dale Volunteer Fire Department to purchase a cab and chassis for a new brush truck. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Clifton Holder, firefighter; Joyce Buckner, Bluebonnet representative; John Hernandez, Dale VFD president; Brian Barrington, Dale VFD fire chief; Milton Shaw, Bluebonnet board director; Rick Arnic, LCRA Governmental Affairs representative; and A.S. Mercado with Dale VFD.

The Dale Volunteer Fire Department soon will have a new brush truck thanks to a $50,000 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative. The grant, along with $15,000 in matching funds, will allow the fire department to purchase a cab and chassis to assemble the new truck.

The department plans to reallocate firefighting equipment and tools from a current truck to the new multipurpose truck, which will carry tools for firefighting as well as medical supplies, rescue gear and personal protective equipment for first responders.

“We are very excited about this grant, because without it we would not be able to afford a safe, dependable, emergency response vehicle,” said John Hernandez, Dale VFD president. “This new truck will keep our firefighters safe and efficient in responding to the many emergencies in and around our community.”

Hernandez said the department’s aging truck fleet constantly needs repairs, with firefighters sometimes faced with trucks that won’t start as they try to respond to an emergency.

“Having a new brush truck will help us respond year-round to save lives and property when an emergency occurs,” Hernandez said. “We are very grateful for this program and the huge positive impact it will have for many years to come.”

Dale VFD serves about 4,000 people in Dale and surrounding communities in Caldwell and Bastrop counties.

The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. The program provides economic development and community assistance grants to cities, counties, volunteer fire departments, regional development councils and other nonprofit organizations in LCRA’s wholesale electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted Jan. 1-31, 2019. More information is available at
lcra.org/cdpp.

About LCRA
​The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering access to nature at more than 40 parks, recreation areas and river access sites along the Texas Colorado River, from the Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to enhancing the lives of Texans through water stewardship, energy and community services. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934. For more information, visit
lcra.org.

About Bluebonnet

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 98,000 meters, and owns and maintains 11,600 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County, and from Milam County to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to
bluebonnet.coop and follow the co-op on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contacts

LCRA:

Clara Tuma 512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org

Bluebonnet:

Will Holford 512-332-7955
will.holford@bluebonnet.coop


Source: LCRA Business News

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