LCRA, City of Lexington award $50,000 grant for versatile new fire engine

New tanker truck for Lexington Volunteer Fire/Rescue can be used to battle both wildfires and structure fires

May 12, 2022

LCRA and City of Lexington representatives present a $50,000 grant to Lexington Volunteer Fire/Rescue for a new fire engine. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Lacey Hannes, Lexington code enforcement official; Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Don Milburn, assistant fire chief; Allen Retzlaff, Lexington mayor and fire marshal; Michael Milburn, fire chief; Margaret D. “Meg” Voelter, LCRA Board member; and Tina Biehle, city administrator.

LEXINGTON, Texas – A $50,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Lexington will enable Lexington Volunteer Fire/Rescue to purchase a modified fire engine that can be used to fight both structural fires and wildfires. The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $339,939 in matching funds supplied by the department, will pay for a 1,250-gallon tanker truck mounted on a four-wheel-drive chassis. Michael Milburn, Lexington Volunteer Fire/Rescue chief, said the department badly needs a versatile firefighting vehicle as housing developments continue to spring up in the area. “We have three large subdivisions coming to the Lexington area right now,” Milburn said. “They’re building in the middle of pasture lands and wooded areas, so basically we’re protecting structures within a rural area. It’s a big thing for us, getting equipment that will be able to switch from fighting a grassfire to fighting a house fire.” He said he expects the truck will be used frequently. “This will be our front-line engine for all structure fires in the City of Lexington and the surrounding area, but the four-wheel-drive chassis will give us better clearance and allow us to get into rural areas, too,” Milburn said. “We’ll have the ability to pump and roll, like you do with a brush truck when fighting a grassfire.” LCRA General Manager Phil Wilson said the new truck will help firefighters respond more quickly to protect residents, businesses and property throughout the area. “The new truck is a significant addition to the area’s fire protection,” Wilson said. “Not only does it have the latest fire-fighting technology, it also can carry five firefighters at a time. I’m delighted LCRA can play a role in helping Lexington Volunteer Fire/Rescue increase public safety through the use of the new tanker.” Lexington Volunteer Fire/Rescue responds to calls across Lee County, but mostly deals with emergencies in the northern half of the county. The department also provides mutual aid to departments in surrounding counties. “We anticipate a larger call volume because of the increased number of people moving out here who have never been in a rural environment,” Milburn said. The new tanker, the culmination of a six-year project, is expected to be in service by August. “Before we received this grant, the money just wasn’t there,” Milburn said. “This grant relieves a lot of stress.” The community grant is one of 36 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. The City of Lexington is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program. Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available at lcra.org/cdpp.

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. For more information, visit lcra.org.

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