Bluebonnet awards $64,000 to area fire departments

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s Board of Directors unanimously approved $1,000 grants to 64 fire departments serving communities across the cooperative’s 14-county service area. The grants were approved earlier this year and awarded in October and November.

“These departments are dedicated to serving Bluebonnet members and our communities,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “Our lineworkers and control center operators rely on the partnership and quick response of firefighters and first responders during emergencies. Their work is vital to keeping our members and employees safe.”

The grants will support the firefighters and first responders who devote their time, skill and courage to keeping communities safe. The grants help cover essential costs such as fuel, equipment, repairs and other critical needs identified by each department. 

“Bluebonnet is honored to support our area fire departments, whose commitment to protecting and serving our communities is truly exceptional,” said Ben Flencher, Chairman of Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors. “The men and women who serve and volunteer with these departments deserve our deepest gratitude and continued support.”

Money for the fire department grants does not come from Bluebonnet members’ bill payments or rates. They are funded through unclaimed capital credit payments to former members that are returned to Bluebonnet from the State of Texas.

Bluebonnet and LCRA representatives present a $13,219 grant to the Carmine Volunteer Fire Department for a new generator. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Grants program. Pictured, from left, are Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet’s Giddings-area community representative; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet Board Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Cooper Meaders, VFD secretary; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board member; Ryan Smith, VFD captain; Carol Freeman, LCRA board member; Chris Carmean, VFD fire chief; Dennis Gerland, VFD president; Daryl Ray, VFD vice president; and Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet’s Brenham-area community representative.

The Carmine Volunteer Fire Department will soon replace its inoperable generator with a new upgraded model to help the fire station remain operational even during power outages, thanks to a $13,219 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The community grant, along with $3,514 in matching funds from the VFD, will fund the purchase and installation of a new generator to help ensure firefighters can continue 24/7 operations during power outages, including receiving calls for help, refilling air packs, charging devices and maintaining critical communications.

“During hurricanes, wildfires and extreme cold weather events, the station’s new generator will allow our department to provide continued service to our area of responsibility,” said Cooper Meaders, secretary of the Carmine VFD. “We also provide mutual aid to our neighboring departments, so this will benefit the larger community.”

The addition of a functional generator also will enable the department to provide a cool or warm working environment for first responders during power outages.

The Carmine Volunteer Fire Department serves Carmine and surrounding areas in northern Fayette County and by responding to fires, vehicle accidents and medical emergencies. The all-volunteer department plays a vital role in protecting rural communities where backup support can be miles away.

“CVFD’s commitment to provide our local community with 24/7 fire protection and first responder services is our No. 1 priority and this grant helps us achieve our mission,” Meaders said.

This is one of five grants recently awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Grants program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. Bluebonnet 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 January. More information is available at lcra.org/grants