LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives present a $21,025 grant to the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department for a new all-terrain vehicle and firefighting/rescue equipment. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Evelyn Quebedeaux; Suzzettee Von Gontard; Emma Quebedeaux; Ron Arnold, firefighter; Doug Zwiener, deputy fire chief; Lori A. Berger, LCRA Board member; Delphine Moehlmann, firefighter; Doyle Dahmann, fire chief; Kelly Strader, firefighter; Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet community development representative; Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet board member; and Kate Holman, LCRA Regional Affairs representative.

The Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department soon will purchase a new all-terrain vehicle and other firefighting and rescue equipment thanks to a $21,025 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $5,256 in matching contributions, will mean improved access to rural areas during emergencies. In addition to the ATV, the department will purchase a trailer, firefighting tools and rescue equipment to carry on the ATV. 

Recent wet weather has added to the difficulties that standard, heavy fire trucks have maneuvering safely through rural terrain. The smaller, lighter-weight ATV will allow firefighters to move through difficult terrain without getting stuck or leaving ruts behind.

“We have a gap in our fleet,” said VFD Deputy Fire Chief Doug Zwiener. “Our larger trucks can’t get through heavy brush, heavily wooded areas or even through gates. This means our crew must find a stable location and then hand-carry tools and equipment to the emergency. This is no longer adequate for our growing population.”
Zwiener said the new ATV will serve a dual purpose.

“We will use the vehicle during search and rescue missions to cover rural terrain quickly and also assist emergency medical personnel with medical calls in areas where an ambulance can’t reach,” Zwiener said. “This community grant will help us better serve the people living in this area.”

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.

Bluebonnet 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.