LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $19,990 grant to the Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department for new air tanks. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Hondo Powell, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative chief of staff/strategic projects coordinator; Ken Mutscher, Bluebonnet board director; Kate Holman, LCRA Governmental Affairs representative; Justin Bosse, assistant chief; Darreck Kenjura, Meyersville VFD president; John McKee, firefighter; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; John Roman, Meyersville VFD treasurer; John Brieden, Washington County judge; and Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet board director.
The Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department soon will purchase 25 new air tanks for its self-contained breathing apparatus systems, thanks to a $19,990 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $5,000 in matching funds, will allow the fire department to replace its current set of air tanks, which are reaching the end of their service life.
The carbon-fiber, high-pressure air tanks allow firefighters to stay in service longer when battling fires or heavy smoke.
“The air tanks will help us ascertain the origin and/or extent of a burning building faster, free from the fear that inhalation might claim the life of a volunteer,” fire department treasurer Josh Roman said.
“Seconds count in this business,” he said. “While the protective equipment that firefighters wear is expensive, it’s the only way to fight a fire. This grant will go a long way in ensuring that our firefighters can safely and quickly respond to the needs of the communities that we serve.”
The Meyersville Volunteer Fire Department serves about 18,000 people in the eastern half of Washington County. Its service and mutual aid area includes the communities of Brenham, Chappell Hill, Independence, Meyersville, Old Washington and Prairie Hill.
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 Electric Cooperative 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 July 1-July 31. 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; ensuring 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 nearly 95,000 meters and owns and maintains more than 11,000 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 Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
