LCRA, City of Waelder award grant for upgraded firefighter equipment

The Waelder Volunteer Fire Department soon will be better equipped to respond more effectively to grass and brush fires, thanks to a $10,626 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Waelder.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $3,158 in matching funds from the VFD, will enable the department to purchase new wildland firefighting tools and an updated gear cleaning system to help maintain firefighters’ protective equipment. The upgrades will help improve firefighter safety, enhance emergency response capabilities and extend the life of essential gear used in the field.

The department currently lacks access to a proper washer-extractor and dryer, and standard residential machines are not capable of removing harmful contaminants or handling the heavy-duty gear. The new equipment will help reduce firefighter exposure to hazardous materials and help ensure turnout gear is cleaned and dried safely and effectively.

“Our equipment was aging, and this grant came at a critical time,” said Bobby White, fire chief of the Waelder VFD. “With these upgrades, we’ll be able to respond more quickly and confidently to emergencies in our community without worrying about whether our equipment can keep up.”

Waelder VFD serves about 125 square miles of Gonzales County, including the community of Waelder. The department responds to about 130 calls each year, ranging from wildland and structure fires to motor vehicle accidents and downed power lines. The new wildland tools will replace aging equipment and allow for faster containment of fires, reducing risks to people, property and the environment.

“Without this support, we would’ve had to seek additional funding from the ESD board or turn to the community for donations,” White said. “We’re grateful for LCRA and are proud to be able to continue to serve our community.”

The community grant is one of 45 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. The City of Waelder is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.