Bluebonnet and LCRA representatives present a $24,500 grant to the South Lee County Volunteer Fire Department for a 6x6 semi-tractor truck. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Dustin Schneider, VFD secretary; Mark Fears and Ethan Miertschin, VFD firefighters; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet's Giddings-area community representative; Delvin Boriack, VFD firefighter; Russell Jurk, Bluebonnet director; Kaleb Oltmann, VFD firefighter; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA board member; Cole Mertink, VFD firefighter; Kyle Jenke, VFD fire chief; Curtis Oltmann, VFD firefighter; Michael Krause, VFD treasurer; Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur, LCRA board member; and Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative.

The South Lee County Volunteer Fire Department will soon purchase a 6x6 semi-tractor truck to provide a more reliable way for firefighters to access difficult terrain and respond to water rescues and other emergencies, thanks to a $24,500 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $10,500 in matching funds from the VFD, will enable the department to replace its 32-year-old former military truck with a newer vehicle that will be more reliable and efficient. Repairs on the old truck require expensive and custom-made parts that can keep the vehicle out of service for long periods of time.

“The truck we’re purchasing will be able to hold a lot more water than what our current capabilities are,” Kyle Jenke said, the department's fire chief. “Now that we’ve been expanding the area we’re serving, it’s important that we’re able to carry the water needed to put out some of the bigger fires.”

The department serves South Lee County, and responds to calls in Lee, Fayette and Bastrop counties through mutual aid agreements. It also recently joined the newly formed Lee County Task Force and responds to calls in parts of Burleson and Washington counties.

“The newer truck will be able to handle rougher terrain, so we can get into the tighter areas where a normal brush truck wouldn’t be able to reach,” Jenke said. “We’ve had to do it a number of times already, so we know how important it is for the truck to be able to handle a lot. This upgrade will also make it much easier for us to get any needed repairs done so we don’t have to spend as much money out of pocket.”

The extra wheels on the truck provide additional traction and can be used to respond to fires and emergency rescues, as well as help retrieve other vehicles that become stuck in the mud.

The community grant is one of three grants recently 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 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 July 2025. More information is available here
 

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and LCRA representatives present a $17,710 grant to the Blue Volunteer Fire Department for a new emergency generator and fuel tank. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA regional affairs representative; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet's Giddings-area community representative; Russell Jurk, Bluebonnet Board member; Ward Taylor, VFD assistant fire chief; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter and Matthew L. “Matt” Arthur, LCRA board members; Rick Isaacks, VFD fire chief; and Dan Brunner, VFD captain.

The Blue Volunteer Fire Department will soon purchase a new emergency generator and propane fuel tank that will help the department continue to provide essential services even during severe weather or blackouts, thanks to a $17,710 grant from Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative and the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $4,428 in matching funds from the VFD, will enable the department to provide a safe shelter for people in the community during emergencies, as well as keep its trucks ready to go during extreme weather. The department, which covers 103 square miles, faced unexpected challenges that highlighted the need for a new generator during Winter Storm Uri in 2021.

“I’ve been with the department for 14 years and had never seen anything like it,” assistant chief Ward Taylor said. “We had tanks freeze and break, and we were completely caught by surprise. This grant will enable us to keep our trucks warm and ready at a moment’s notice.”

The new equipment also will allow the department to open its doors to provide shelter during emergency situations such as power outages or flooding.

“We are almost a completely self-funded department, so grants like this from LCRA and Bluebonnet are huge for us,” Taylor said. “We’ll now be able to provide a safe and warm spot for people to come to should there be a need. Anyone that requires electricity for life support, whether they need oxygen or are on dialysis, they’ll be able to rely on us.”

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