LCRA, Hamilton County Electric Co-op award $19,172 grant to Adamsville VFD
Fire department will add emergency tools for faster, safer rescues
MAY 16, 2024
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $4,792 in matching funds from the department, will enable Adamsville VFD to respond faster to crashes and farm accidents that require freeing people or lifting heavy equipment.
“Adamsville VFD is the most remote of the four fire stations in Lampasas County,” Fire Chief Dean Watson said. “By having this equipment, we will be able to save lives and get people the care they need quicker.”
The new equipment will include a combi tool, which acts as a set of jaws to cut and spread metal so first responders can safely rescue people trapped in vehicles, and three flat airbags that inflate to raise and stabilize a vehicle or heavy equipment.
“We currently have one set of extrication equipment that is heavy and requires at least two volunteers to operate the combi tool,” Watson said. “This new, lighter version of extrication equipment only requires one person to operate the tool, freeing up emergency responders to handle other tasks.”
With the addition of the second set of equipment, the department will be able to respond to multiple emergencies at the same time. Watson said firefighters have been in situations where they needed the tools at an accident, but they were already in use.
“It’s necessary to have multiple sets because you can’t put a dollar figure on someone’s life,” he said.
The new equipment also will help speed up rescues for the fire department, which provides aid to Moline, Evant, Lampasas, Kempner and Lometa.
“In the past, we’ve had people say, ‘I can’t believe you got me out that quick,’ after using this equipment,” Watson said. “It speeds up rescues by at least 20 minutes and helps get victims to the hospital quicker. Time is of the essence in these scenarios. Protection of life and safe removal of victims are the main goals of the department.”
The community grant is one of 44 grants awarded recently 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. Hamilton County 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. 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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