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EAGLE LAKE – The Eagle Lake Volunteer Fire Department will replace a dilapidated 50-year-old roof and install new LED lighting at its fire station with the help of a $50,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.
The LCRA Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $14,000 in matching funds from the Fire Department, will help replace an unrepairable metal roof to protect the station and equipment inside it from the elements, and provide a safer and healthier environment for firefighters, according to a release.
By stopping leaks, the new roof will protect equipment and help prevent mold. LCRA said the new roof and lighting also will improve energy efficiency at the building. When the temperature exceeds 100 degrees or falls below freezing, the new roof insulation will help keep temperatures in the space from reaching extremes.
“When you house millions of dollars worth of equipment, you want it to be out of the elements,” said Eagle Lake VFD Assistant Chief Kurt Sunderman. “We keep our equipment for 30 years or more and that isn’t possible if the equipment gets damaged due to water penetrating the building. All of our records and electronics are housed in the meeting room and this new roof will prevent water damage.”
By saving money that it would otherwise put toward replacing the roof, the department will be able to direct its limited funds to preserving its engines, equipment and supplies, and investing in improved equipment in the future.
“We have been trying to replace this roof for over five years and just couldn’t save enough money to reach the goal on our own due to inflation,” Sunderman said. “The City of Eagle Lake has been saving money for five years.”
LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said the new roof will benefit the community as it protects both specialized equipment and the firefighters who put their lives on the line to protect people and property in the area.
“Firefighters in Eagle Lake do so much to keep people safe,” Wilson said. “They are well trained and always willing to respond in emergencies, and it’s only right their equipment is protected from the elements and is ready to go when needed. LCRA is proud to provide this grant to help keep the Eagle Lake fire station in top condition.”
The community grant is one of 34 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.
