Williamson County Emergency Medical Services applying for grant to help purchase new water rescue boat

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Williamson County Commissioners approved Williamson County Emergency Medical Services (WCEMS) applying for a grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) to purchase a new swift water rescue boat and gear on Tuesday in commissioners court.

WCEMS currently has 14 staff trained in swift water rescues. Kevin Krinke, a shift commander for WCEMS, said that they do not have their own boat and borrow boats from other departments.

"We'll see people that need to be rescued, but we have to wait on other boats to get there to help with the rescues," Krinke said. "Us having our own boat, it just allows us to get to some more of these victims quicker and rescue them without having to wait."

Following the July 4 flooding, Krinke emphasized that having more boats could have made a difference.

"With the flooding here, our teams try to rescue at least three victims. Unfortunately, two of the ones that they tried to rescue didn't make it. They weren't able to get to them in time," Krinke said. "Due to the fast-rising waters—having extra boats in the water could possibly find these victims quicker."

The LCRA awards up $50,000 for "capital improvement projects." If a grant requested is more than $5,000, the requester will be required to match 20% of the cost.

The boat that WCEMS would buy through the grant is the Zodiac FC-420 that costs $21,850. Rigging the boat up and purchasing personal protective gear will bring the total cost to $39,298.64. As a result, the amount WCEMS would have to match is $7,859.73.