LCRA and Pedernales Electric Cooperative representatives present a $19,882 grant to the Oakalla Volunteer Fire Department for a new substation. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Jared Fields, PEC community engagement representative; Pam Schlumpberger, firefighter; Chris Mick, VFD treasurer; Gene Keeling, VFD president; Damon Beierle, Burnet County commissioner, Precinct 2; Clayton Potter, VFD administrator; Caroline Porter, PEC community relations coordinator; Carla Potter, firefighter; Christina Roehrig, VFD secretary; Nancy Eckert Yeary, LCRA Board member; Ned Roehrig, assistant fire chief; Roberta Elmore, Burnet County Emergency Services District No. 8 president; Steve Dyer, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Rebekah Moore, firefighter; Mary Baldree, VFD vice president; and State Rep. Terry Wilson of Marble Falls.
BURNET COUNTY, Texas – A $19,882 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Pedernales Electric Cooperative will help the Oakalla Volunteer Fire Department construct a new substation in Watson, boosting emergency services in northeast Burnet County and significantly cutting response times to the area.
The grant, along with matching funds of $5,000 from the Oakalla VFD, will enable the department to build a substation near the intersection of U.S. 183 and FM 963. The department estimates housing a fire truck in the new station will reduce response times in the Watson area by at least 10 minutes.
Founded in 1984, Oakalla VFD has seen its service area nearly double to 198 square miles in a matter of months. As residential and commercial development continues to expand north of Austin into Burnet County, the department is responding to increasing numbers of vehicle crashes, fires and medical emergencies.
“The truck we will be putting in the substation in Watson is one of our first-attack trucks and is outfitted to be manned by one firefighter if necessary,” said Christina Roehrig, secretary of the Oakalla VFD. “As the population continues to grow in our southern coverage area, having a vehicle stationed in Watson will enable us to respond to an emergency scene and get help to victims more quickly.
“If the department had not been given this grant, we would have to postpone this important project for several months while the funds were raised,” Roehrig said. “Because our service area has doubled, we have added 10 new members who need to be outfitted with gear. The gear is very expensive, but with this grant from LCRA, we can get the new substation up and running and still use our available funds to make sure our firefighters are outfitted safely.”
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 from Jan. 1-31, 2020. 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.
About Pedernales Electric Cooperative
Founded in 1938 by then-Congressman Lyndon B. Johnson, PEC is a member-owned electric cooperative serving more than 325,000 accounts across Central Texas. An industry-recognized leader providing outstanding member service and reliable electricity, PEC conducts its business via a transparent and democratic process and highly encourages member participation.
Media Contact
Clara Tuma
512–578–3292
clara.tuma@lcra.org
Source: LCRA Business News
