The Brady Volunteer Fire Department soon will purchase an enclosed trailer to safely store and transport its utility task vehicle and support large-scale incident responses, thanks to a $24,159 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and the City of Brady.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with $6,040 in matching funds from the VFD, will help the department acquire a fully outfitted trailer that will serve both as a mobile command post and secure UTV transport unit. The UTV is used for off-road firefighting and rescue operations throughout McCulloch County.
Equipped with insulation, air conditioning and a dual-fuel generator, the trailer also will serve as a base of operations during large grass fires and long-duration events, giving responders a safer and more efficient working environment in remote areas.
“The new enclosed trailer will significantly improve how the fire department deploys its UTV and operates on scene during extended emergencies,” said Chris Stidham, president of the Brady Volunteer Fire Department. “It will allow our first responders to get their equipment to the scene more quickly and stay on-site longer, when needed, thanks to its ability to carry supplies and act as a command center.”
“We want to express our appreciation to LCRA and the City of Brady for their support of the Brady VFD,” Stidham said. “Their dedication to giving back to communities like Brady help departments like ours be better prepared to respond to emergencies in Central Texas.”
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.
