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A $24,400 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is helping Bastrop County First Responders expand their lifesaving capabilities with new equipment.
The funds will allow the nonprofit organization to purchase 10 cardiac monitors/ defibrillators and other tools, enhancing emergency medical care in critical minutes before ambulance arrivals.
Bastrop County First Responders, a team of 45 trained EMTs and paramedics, operates countywide, often reaching emergencies in personal vehicles to deliver immediate assistance.
“Our team responds quickly, often within minutes, but we’ve needed more equipment to provide full support,” said Preston McGrew, vice president of the organization.
With this grant and an additional $6,100 in matching funds, the group will acquire vital cardiac monitors and 15 intraosseous devices, which allow medication and fluids to be administered directly through bone marrow in urgent situations, according to the team.
Previously limited to basic care, the organization now expects to offer more comprehensive life support on-scene.
“These tools mean we can deliver advanced interventions before an ambulance arrives,” McGrew added.
Phil Wilson, LCRA general manager, highlighted the impact of the new equipment in rural areas where ambulance response times can be lengthy.
“This grant strengthens the volunteer team’s ability to assess and stabilize patients quickly, providing needed care in those crucial moments,” Wilson said. “We’re proud to support their mission with this lifesaving equipment.”
Preceding the donation, Bluebonnet’s Board of Directors also unanimously approved $1,000 grants for each of the 63 fire departments serving the cooperative’s 14-county region.
“These departments serve everyone in our communities, answering the call every day, around the clock,” said Matt Bentke, Bluebonnet’s general manager. “Our line workers and control center operators work closely with firefighters and first responders during emergency events, which is critically important to keeping people safe.”
According to Bluebonnet, these grants are intended to support the essential work of firefighters and first responders who dedicate their time and expertise to the communities they serve.
“Bluebonnet is proud to contribute to our area fire departments who truly do an outstanding job protecting and serving our communities,” said Ben Flencher, Bluebonnet’s board chairman. “The women and men who work for and volunteer with these fire departments deserve all the support we can provide.”
Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, which has been serving its members since 1939, covers more than 135,000 meters and maintains 13,000 miles of power lines across a 3,800-square-mile area that includes Bastrop County.
LCRA, established by the Texas Legislature in 1934, continues to support Texas communities with water management, power and recreational opportunities across its service area.
Applications for the next round of LCRA grants open in January. More information about the program is available at lcra. org/cdpp.
