LCRA awards $25,000 grant to Oakridge Volunteer Fire Department

WEIMAR – The Oakridge Volunteer Fire Department will outfit its new firetruck with a 4,000-gallon water tank and new emergency equipment with the help of a $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority.

The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $24,650 in matchi ng funds from the VFD, will enable the department to double the amount of water it can take to the scene of a fire. “There are no fire hydrants in our community, so we have to bring water sources with us when responding to fires,” VFD President Douglas Jeske said. “Being able to transport a large amount of water to a scene is crucial.” The Oakridge VFD currently has two water supply trucks. One carries 1,650 gallons of water and the other carries 750 gallons, allowing a total of 2,400 gallons of water to be transported at a time. The department’s new water truck will replace the smaller 50-year-old truck.

“We are going to go from 2,400 gallons available to 5,650 gallons, which is more than doubling our supply,” Jeske said, “We’ll be able to improve our fire protection abilities without the fear of the older truck and accessories failing on scene.” In addition to the water tank, the Oakridge VFD will equip the new truck with pumps, hoses, equipment storage bins, sirens and lights. “The addition of this equipment wi l l help the department be better equipped to combat fires and keep the community safe,” Jeske said. The Oakridge VFD serves the Oakridge Ranch community and surrounding areas. The department also provides mutual aid to Weimar, Rock Island, Sheridan and Oakland. 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 communit ies it serves. Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.