 LCRA and City of San Marcos representatives present an $18,500 grant to the South Hays Fire Department/Hays County Emergency Services Department #3 for a swift-water rescue boat and equipment. Pictured, from left to right, are: Robert Simonson, South Hays Fire Department/Hays County Emergency Services Department #3 fire chief; Matt Simkin, San Marcos Area Recovery Team assistant chief; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; and Rick Arnic, LCRA governmental affairs representative. |
The South Hays Fire Department/Hays County Emergency Services Department #3 will be able to purchase a swift-water rescue boat and personal protective equipment thanks to an $18,500 community development grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of San Marcos.
Department Chief Robert Simonson said the new boat, motor, trailer and 10 dry suits will enable the San Marcos Area Recovery Team to execute swift-water rescues more quickly and safely.
“This smaller, more portable boat, which is easily carried by six people, gives us the option to reach areas we could not normally reach before,” Simonson said. “The boat also lets us play an active role in assisting law enforcement with intricate recovery and evidence services.”
The dry suits are equipped with personal flotation devices, helmets, booties and gloves that are impermeable, protecting divers from very cold water, and debris and contaminants that may be in the water during a rescue.
Simonson said the new boat and equipment will help the department better protect the increasing number of residents in in Hays County.
“Right now, about 35,000 people live in our service area,” Simonson said. “That number is expected to double in the next five years, so we need to be more mobile in our access to both rural and more densely populated areas.”
South Hays Fire Department/Hays County Emergency Services Department #3 also has mutual aid agreements with Comal, Guadalupe and northern Travis 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 electric and water service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. The City of San Marcos is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants are due 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.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
