Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $23,819 grant to the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department for new vehicle extrication tools. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kyle Merten, Bluebonnet's Brenham-area community representative; Robert Mikeska, Bluebonnet Board secretary/treasurer and member; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board member; Doyle Dahmann, VFD fire chief; Douglas Zwiener, VFD deputy fire chief and chief financial officer; Ron Arnold, VFD firefighter; and Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative.

The Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department will soon purchase its first set of battery-operated vehicle extrication tools, thanks to a $23,819 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, combined with $5,955 in matching funds from the VFD, will equip firefighters with new rechargeable tools that will enable firefighters to reach people trapped in vehicles more quickly and efficiently.

“This is a project we’ve been working toward for several years,” said Douglas Zwiener, deputy fire chief and chief financial officer of the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill Volunteer Fire Department. “While we’ve been fortunate to rely on the Brenham Fire Department for extrication tools, having our own equipment will enable us to respond faster and more efficiently to emergencies in the northeastern part of Washington County. Every second matters in critical situations, and these tools will greatly enhance our ability to serve our community.”

Founded in 1959 by local farmers, the Prairie Hill-Rocky Hill VFD has grown into a multi-apparatus department that provides essential fire suppression and rescue services to a 63-square mile area of northeastern Washington County. The department also responds to calls in parts of Brenham, Burton, Chappell Hill, Lake Somerville and other nearby communities.

“This grant, along with past support from LCRA and Bluebonnet, has elevated our department’s readiness,” Zwiener said. “Whether it’s generator backup for our fire hall, ATV access for hard-to-reach areas, or now these extrication tools, this support ensures we’re prepared to handle a wide range of emergencies and serve the residents of Washington County more effectively.”

The community grant is one of four 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 January 2025. More information is available here

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $24,400 grant to the Bastrop County First Responders for emergency equipment. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Tom Oney, LCRA chief people officer and executive vice president of external affairs; Gregory Klaus, Bastrop County judge; Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur and Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board members; Zackary Caviness, First Responders’ paramedic; Preston McGrew, First Responders’ vice president and paramedic; Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager; State Rep. Stan Gerdes; Rick Arnic, LCRA regional affairs representative; Josh Coy, Bluebonnet's Bastrop-area community representative; and Garrett Gutierrez, Bluebonnet superintendent of operations.

A $24,400 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority will enable the Bastrop County First Responders nonprofit organization to purchase 10 cardiac monitors/defibrillators and other emergency equipment to provide medical care before ambulances arrive.

Bastrop County First Responders is a volunteer organization of 45 licensed EMTs and paramedics stationed throughout the county. Members respond to emergencies in their personal vehicles and provide care for the sick and injured until an ambulance arrives.

“Our responders are trained to provide high-level care and often arrive on the scene within minutes,” said Preston McGrew, vice president of the first responders’ organization. “But without proper equipment, they’ve been limited in the support they can provide.’’

The grant, along with $6,100 in matching funds from the first responders, will allow the group to purchase cardiac monitors/defibrillators and 15 intraosseous devices, which provide a hollow needle that can be inserted into bone marrow for infusion of medication or fluids in emergency situations.

“Without enough cardiac monitors and other intraosseous devices, we’ve been limited to basic interventions,” McGrew said. “With this grant, we’ll finally have the tools to deliver comprehensive life support in the crucial minutes before an ambulance arrives.”

The community grant is one of four 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 January 2025. More information is available here