LCRA, PEC award $19,543 grant to Cassie VFD and EMS
Automated CPR device will strengthen emergency response across Highland Lakes region
May 9, 2025
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $4,886 in matching funds from the Cassie VFD and EMS, will provide the new equipment that will enhance the department’s emergency response.
“We’re in a rural setting where EMS response can take more time and only one firefighter may be able to respond to a scene,” said Derrick Curtis, fire chief of the Cassie VFD and EMS. “When someone is in cardiac arrest, every second counts. Having this device on hand gives that person the best possible chance at survival by ensuring they receive high-quality CPR from the moment we arrive.”
Curtis said the department responds to calls in locations where traditional CPR isn’t always straightforward, such as on a moving boat. In addition, he said, the small, all-volunteer team often handles extended emergency calls with limited staffing, which can lead to responder fatigue.
“We have 10 responders in the department, and they’re all volunteers with varying availabilities,” he said. “In an extended CPR situation, a responder may be providing compressions for 20 to 40 minutes, which is physically exhausting. This equipment doesn’t tire, so we know we’ll be able to deliver consistent, effective care throughout the call.”
Cassie VFD responds to emergencies throughout Burnet County and supports the broader region through mutual aid agreements.
“We’re grateful to LCRA and PEC for their continued support,” he said. “These grants make a real difference for our responders and our communities.”
The community grant is one of 45 grants awarded recently through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund eligible 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. Pedernales Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
About LCRA
The Lower Colorado River Authority serves customers and communities throughout Texas by managing the lower Colorado River; generating and transmitting electric power; providing a clean, reliable water supply; and offering outdoor adventures at more than 40 parks along the Colorado River from the Texas Hill Country to the Gulf Coast. LCRA and its employees are committed to fulfilling our mission to enhance the quality of life of the Texans we serve through water stewardship, energy and community service. LCRA was created by the Texas Legislature in 1934 and receives no state appropriations.
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