The details
The $35,519 grant would cover the full cost of the inflatable boat, accessories and the trailer for the swift water rescue team to use during flash flood emergencies, according to county documents.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation provides grants to purchase public safety equipment, training and education, and is funded in part by sales at Firehouse Subs restaurants. There is no match required from the county.
Some context
The sheriff's office owns one boat for the swift water rescue team.
Although the office partners with the Williamson County Technical Rescue Team, which has four operational boats and three others out of service, the sheriff's office does not have access to them.
The additional rescue boat will ensure there is always at least one operational boat available to the sheriff's office, according to county documents.
What they’re saying
One of the county’s swift water rescue boats was damaged in the July 4 weekend floods, County Judge Steve Snell said at the Jan. 6 Williamson County commissioners meeting. This grant will help supplement the cost to replace it, Snell said.
“The work that our swift water rescue teams did with the sheriff’s office this July with the floods, both in Kerr County and Williamson County ... was amazing,” Snell said. “The bravery was unbelievable.”
