WASHINGTON CO. RECEIVES GRANTS FOR EMERGENCY GENERATORS AT EXPO, BURTON EMS STATION

  

Washington County is moving forward with projects to add emergency generators at two county facilities.

Washington County Commissioners on Monday accepted grant awards through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, funded through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).  The funds will go toward new generators at the Washington County Expo and EMS Station #3 in Burton. 

Emergency Management Coordinator Bryan Ruemke, speaking on the Expo generator project, said the grant will cover one generator for the Expo event center and another for the office building.  He said they will provide a needed backup power source in case of emergencies or disasters, when the Expo may be used as a shelter.  

The total project cost is $509,410.  FEMA is paying 90 percent of that cost, with the county’s 10 percent share being $50,941.

County Judge John Durrenberger said the generators are “much-needed”, adding that during instances where the event center is used as a warming shelter, it is risky to operate without backup power. 

Similarly, Ruemke said the Burton EMS Station generator will provide a critical backup power source to allow the station to continue operating during emergencies.  The complete project amount is $36,060; after FEMA’s 90 percent portion, the county will pay $3,606.