LCRA awards $13,430 grant to Comanche Shores VFD

New covered parking will protect emergency equipment, improve response times

An LCRA representative presents a $13,430 grant to the Comanche Shores Volunteer Fire Department to construct a new fire station bay. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: James Gibson, VFD fire chief; Heidi Gibson, VFD public relations representative; Karla Powell, VFD secretary; Cooper Hogg, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Paul Cortez, VFD member; Brenda Morton, VFD treasurer; Ron Morton, VFD vice president; Spencer Powell, VFD president; Sharon Swanson, VFD member; and Kenneth Swanson, VFD assistant fire chief.
COLEMAN COUNTY, Texas – The Comanche Shores Volunteer Fire Department soon will add a second covered parking space that will enable it to keep both of its fire trucks on-site and ready to respond to emergencies, thanks to a $13,430 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The LCRA Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with more than $3,000 in matching funds from the VFD, will allow the department to add an additional on-site covered parking space, providing essential protection for its second fire truck and supporting the fire department’s ability to respond efficiently to emergencies.

Spencer Powell, president of the Comanche Shores VFD, said covered parking shields the fire trucks from weather conditions such as rain, snow and UV exposure, helping ensure both trucks remain in optimal condition. The protection also helps reduce maintenance costs and extends vehicle lifespans.

“We currently have two fire trucks available,” Powell said. “Our first truck, which was gifted years ago by another fire department, is getting old, and we are becoming concerned about keeping it operational. The addition of a second covered parking space ensures our other fire truck will be protected at all times and readily available to respond swiftly in times of need.”

In addition to helping protect valuable equipment, Powell said the new protected parking space will help the department save money.

“In order to protect our trucks, we currently store our second unit in a neighboring storage facility,” Powell said. “This grant eliminates the monthly fees for using the storage unit. For a small community, each dollar is hard to come by. We’ll now be able to use those financial resources toward other critical needs of the fire department or community services.”

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.

Contact Info

Clara Tuma, Public Information Officer
512-578-3292
[email protected]
After hours: 512-944-6719