LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative representatives present a $20,050 grant to the Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department for new radios for its firetrucks. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Richard Stumpf, Round Mountain VFD president; Sally Sepulvede, VFD secretary; Jim Araas, VFD treasurer; Caroline Tinsley Porter, PEC community relations coordinator; Gary Reeves, firefighter; Thomas Michael Martine, LCRA Board vice chair; and Rick Arnic, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.
ROUND MOUNTAIN, Texas – The Round Mountain Volunteer Fire Department will receive five new emergency communication radios thanks to a $20,050 community grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative.
The Round Mountain VFD will use the Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $7,407 in matching funds, to replace five outdated radios. The new, state-of-the-art radios will be installed in the department’s firetrucks and will be more reliable to get critical information to firefighters as they respond to emergencies.
The department’s current radios are inconsistent and jeopardize the department’s ability to stay connected with other emergency personnel, said Round Mountain VFD Director Michael Megna.
“If our radios stop working, our firefighters are forced to use hand-held devices, which have a weaker signal; we may even have to rebroadcast the information,” Megna said. “A reliable communication system means we can navigate faster and be more efficient when responding to calls. This will be particularly helpful for our residents living in rural areas.”
The new radios will be programmed to allow communication with Blanco County law enforcement, North Blanco County EMS, Blanco Fire Department and the Johnson City Volunteer Fire Department. Additional channels will permit communication with Burnet County and Llano County first responders that have mutual aid agreements with the Round Mountain department.
The community grant is one of a number of grants recently awarded through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which 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. Pedernales 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 1-31. 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; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas 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
