CHRISTOVAL, Texas — The Christoval Volunteer Fire Department will be able to replace an aging brush truck after receiving a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $81,965 in matching funds, will allow the department to purchase a new truck chassis to replace a brush truck that has become costly to repair because of mechanical failures.
“We’ll be up to three large brush trucks in our fleet with this new addition,” Jimmy Barton, department board president, said in an LCRA release. “It’s a relief to know we’ll have another reliable asset and we won’t have to worry about the truck breaking down. That’s very important.”
Wildfires pose a high risk in the 220 square miles covered by the Christoval VFD. The department serves a population of approximately 1,500 people and provides mutual aid to Tom Green, Schleicher, Irion and Menard counties.
“About 80 percent of our calls are fire related, especially during summer,” Barton said. “Wildfires or brush fires threaten development in our area, so we need to have equipment we can depend on.”
He said firefighters will outfit the new truck with the bed of the old brush truck they’re replacing and add toolboxes, new lights and a fresh coat of paint.
“It would’ve been difficult to purchase a new truck without help,” Barton said. “It’s a blessing to receive this grant to make this purchase and have zero debt. We’re very appreciative of LCRA.”
The community grant is one of 25 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.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.
Christoval VFD receives $25,000 grant from LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority awarded $25,000 to the Christoval Volunteer Fire Department to help replace an aging brush truck.
