A $25,000 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority will help Bastrop County Emergency Services District #2 purchase two new mechanical CPR devices.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $14,142 in matching funds from the department, will pay for devices that will perform chest compressions, allowing first responders to focus on other aspects of emergency care. The devices also will help reduce fatigue in first responders who are called upon to perform CPR for extended periods.

“As someone who does CPR, I know how exhausting and taxing it is,” said Fire Chief Josh Gill. “These mechanical CPR devices provide high-quality compressions the entire time and remove the human element of fatigue when administering CPR.”

Bastrop County ESD #2, which has both paid and volunteer firefighters, responds to about two dozen cardiac calls a year. The department is often the first on the scene, and its first responders perform hands-on CPR for an average of 40 minutes for unresponsive patients, Gill said.

The two new mechanical CPR devices will be the first for the department and will be placed on each of the department’s primary response trucks.

“These devices give the highest level of CPR possible,” Gill said. “It gives the community peace of mind knowing we can provide high-quality care in emergencies.”

Bastrop County ESD #2 primarily serves 200 square miles of unincorporated areas of Bastrop County, including Paige, Camp Swift, Bastrop State Park, Lake Bastrop Acres, Circle-D/KC Estates and Tahitian Village/Pine Forest. It offers mutual aid to all of Bastrop County, as well as McDade and Elgin.

“There may be situations where we need to respond to multiple emergencies at one time,” Gill said. “With the mechanical CPR devices, we can have more first responders available to aid in other emergencies, which is critical in our rapidly growing community.”

The community grant is one of six grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission 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 is a partner in the grant program.

Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp. 

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors unanimously voted during its April meeting to return $5.69 million in capital credits to member-owners of the cooperative, an increase of nearly $500,000 over last year. Beginning in May, Bluebonnet’s members will receive a credit on their electric bill for their share of $5.69 million in capital credits.

“Approving the return of capital credits each year is the most enjoyable and meaningful vote our Directors cast on behalf of our members,” said Ben Flencher, board president. “Historic growth in Bluebonnet’s service area and sound fiscal management has enabled Bluebonnet to return record amounts to our members. The credit our members will see on their bills in May is one of the many benefits of being a member-owner of Bluebonnet.”

Capital credits are revenue above what it takes to operate the co-op. Every April, Bluebonnet’s Directors approve the capital credits payment. When determining how much to return to members, the Directors consider the impact that the amount returned to members will have on electric rates and the co-op’s financial strength.

The amount each member gets back depends on how much electricity they used in previous years through 2022 and how long they have been a Bluebonnet member. Current members will see a credit on their May electric bill for their share of this year’s capital credits retirement. Former members who are still owed a capital credit will be mailed a check in May or June.

During the past 20 years, Bluebonnet has returned $84.8 million to members in capital credits.

“We are proud to return historic capital credits to our members year after year while successfully meeting the demand that tremendous growth has placed on our electric system,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “This is a major accomplishment that greatly benefits our members. Our Board of Directors and every employee is committed to being wise stewards of our members’ investment and providing the outstanding service they expect and deserve.”

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves more than 125,000 meters and owns and maintains 12,000 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.