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