“Without grants, we wouldn’t survive,” said Chris Moehlmann, Sam Houston Electric Cooperative advanced metering infrastructure technician and fire chief of the South Polk County Volunteer Fire Department.
Sam Houston EC provides $500 grants annually to volunteer fire departments within the Co-op’s service area. The Co-op donates a total of approximately $15,000 yearly to local volunteer fire departments that provide a letter requesting funds.
“Our service area stretches across 10 counties, and we recognize the importance of volunteer fire departments in protecting the lives and property of people within our service area,” said Rachel Frey Hawkins, chief communications officer.
According to Moehlmann, his department bought a pumper truck last year primarily with funds from grants and donations.
“Without them, we wouldn’t be able to provide the services people ask of us,” he said. “Most of our budget is made up from those donations and grants. While $500 may not seem like a big amount to some, it is important to us.”
The services provided by volunteer firefighters are invaluable to East Texans, but equipment to keep the firefighters safe is expensive.
“If it wasn’t for donations from companies and even individuals, we wouldn’t be able to have the gear we need to go into a house fire,” said Martin Spurlock, a Sam Houston EC lineworker and a member of the Woodville Volunteer Fire Department. “We are on a waiting list for a new fire engine and a new brush truck, but we use donations and grants to buy air packs and high-tech face masks, which allow us to know how much air we have left.”
A Dayton firefighter’s protective clothing.
The donations and grants are truly appreciated and valued by each volunteer firefighter.
“They mean a whole lot to us,” said David Boaen, a Cooperative lineworker and fire chief of the Point Blank Volunteer Fire Department. “It doesn’t matter if the donation or grant is a little or a lot, we couldn’t survive without them. If we didn’t have the grants, then we would have to do even more fundraisers in the community, so grants really do help.”
Sam Houston EC encourages each volunteer fire department within the Co-op’s service area to apply for funds by contacting the Co-op at 1-800-458-0381. Consideration will be given to those departments that do not benefit from a tax district.
