LCRA awards $25,000 grant to Tow Volunteer Fire Department
Shallow water boat will shorten emergency response time for rescues in Lake Buchanan
OCT, 23, 2024
LLANO COUNTY, Texas – The Tow Volunteer Fire Department soon will acquire a shallow water boat to help first responders quickly get to water-related emergencies on Lake Buchanan, thanks to a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The LCRA Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $17,000 in matching funds from the VFD, will enable the department to purchase an emergency response boat outfitted with life-saving equipment.
Tim Hackney, president and assistant fire chief of the Tow VFD, said the boat will be stationed on the water, allowing the department to respond to emergencies on the lake within minutes, providing care more quickly and increasing the chances of survival in water-related incidents.
“We can’t do anything on the water without a boat,” Hackney said. “We have previously had to rely on mutual aid for emergencies on the lake, and the closest department is about 15 minutes away, so by the time they’re able to get to us there is a significant amount of time lost in situations where every second counts.”
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said having emergency aid nearby is critical to providing timely assistance on the water.
“Having this rescue boat stationed on Lake Buchanan is a game changer,” he said. “Not having to put a boat in the water before responding to an emergency on the lake will save critical minutes that could be the difference between life and death. This boat will be ready to go when emergency help is needed.”
Hackney said the population of the department’s service area doubles on the weekends and can triple around holidays, with an estimated 90% of the population increase due to recreational boaters.
“Knowing we’re equipped to quickly respond to emergencies such as water rescues or disabled boaters on Lake Buchanan will make the community more attractive to visitors,” Hackney said.
The Tow Volunteer Fire Department serves communities near Lake Buchanan including Tow, Buchanan Lake Village, Paradise Point and Shaw Island.
The community grant is one of 37 grants awarded recently 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. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in January. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
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