By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) has awarded a $17,725 community grant to Laguna Vista Fire-Rescue, funding the purchase of modern breathing equipment that will significantly improve firefighter safety during emergency responses.
The grant, awarded through LCRA’s Community Grants program, will be paired with $5,909 in matching funds from the volunteer fire department. Together, the funds will allow the department to replace outdated air tanks and breathing gear with three new self contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units that meet current national safety standards.
“Each firefighter entering a structure needs a reliable air supply to stay safe,” Fire Chief Neil Waters said. “Without it, the risk is life threatening. With this funding, we’re equipping our team properly to operate in environments containing smoke, toxic gases and low oxygen. That not only protects our firefighters but also translates directly into faster, safer emergency responses and a higher potential for saving lives in our community.”
Waters explained that the grant made it possible to replace multiple SCBA units at once, an upgrade that would otherwise have taken years to accomplish.
“Grants like this are critical for smaller departments like ours,” he said. “Without it, we would have had to find funding elsewhere, which is increasingly difficult. Typically, we could only afford to replace one SCBA per year, but this grant allows us to replace three outdated packs at once. It puts us three years ahead and ensures we’re not using gear that’s going out of compliance.”
Laguna Vista Fire-Rescue is a volunteer department that serves the residents of Laguna Vista and regularly provides mutual aid to neighboring communities, including Port Isabel and South Padre Island. Updated respiratory equipment is especially important for departments that respond across jurisdictions and face a wide range of emergency conditions.
The grant presentation took place on December 19 with city officials, fire department members and LCRA representatives in attendance, highlighting the collaborative role community partnerships play in supporting public safety.
This award is one of 41 grants distributed statewide in the most recent round of LCRA Community Grants. The program provides funding twice each year to nonprofit organizations, emergency responders and local governments within LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas.
Applications for the next round of community grants will be accepted in January. Additional information is available at lcra.org/grants.
Established by the Texas Legislature in 1934, LCRA manages the lower Colorado River, generates and transmits electric power, supplies water, and operates more than 40 public parks across Texas. The authority receives no state appropriations and supports communities through water stewardship, energy services and community investment.
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