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Bastrop County-based Texas Firewalkers seeks donations to help Gulf Coast families affected by Hurricane Beryl
Texas Firewalkers deploys to disasters throughout Texas to provide hot meals on-site. (Courtesy Big J/Texas Firewalkers) As Gulf Coast residents brace for Hurricane Beryl, Bastrop County nonprofit Texas Firewalkers is gearing up to assist those who have or will be affected. The cause. Created by Blake “PeeWee” Henson in 2008...
Bastrop County faces rural health care challenges
Bastrop County Cares utilizes a Care-A-Van to provide health care services and public outreach initiatives in the community. This service is intended to help connect gaps in local health care coverage. (Courtesy Bastrop County Cares) Two hospitals and several emergency clinics serve patients across Bastrop County, but they lack specialized...
Emergency airlift agreement signed
SMITHVILLE – County residents are covered in the case of required emergency medical air transport thanks to an agreement approved by city representatives.Smithville City Council last week renewed its agreement with PHI Cares, a leading helicopter- based medical transport provider. Medically necessary air transport from the provider will result in no out-of-pocket expenses for in-city or Bastrop County pickups as a result.“The number one priority for the Smithville City Council is the safety of our citizens,” City Manager Robert Tamble said. “PHI Cares provides a vital service to our local community, so renewing our agreement was a no-brainer to keep ...
Medics push city, county to nearly triple EMS units
From left, after two years of planning, Bastrop County First Responders volunteers Paul Hightower, Preston McGrew and Caleb Peck presented their proposal for Emergency Services District No. 3 to city and county officials in June. (Amanda Cutshall/Community Impact) Three medics are on a mission to increase the number of ambulances...
Bastrop County briefs: Smithville renews air medical contract
The Smithville City Council has renewed its agreement with PHI Cares, a division of PHI Air Medical, a helicopter-based medical transport provider. Residents requiring authorized emergency air medical transport from Smithville or Bastrop County when utilizing PHI Air Medical will benefit from no out-of-pocket expenses thanks to the agreement. The municipal agreement is effective through April 30, 2025. The agreement includes residents not on Medicaid who aren’t covered by medical insurance or have no third party responsible for their medical transport. In all other cases, PHI Air Medical works with the resident’s insurance provider to resolve claims for any medically necessary transports to ensure members face no out-of-pocket expenses. Smithville residents also qualify for coast-to-coast coverage at a subsidized $30/year per household. This optional plan provides coverage for residents to be flown by PHI Air Medical when they travel out of county.
'People's lives on the line' | Bastrop City Council considers creating third emergency service district
BASTROP COUNTY, Texas — If you call for help in Bastrop County, you’re likely to see a volunteer with the Bastrop County First Responders show up before an ambulance does. Volunteers say they're in desperate need of more ambulances in the county and that the number they have is not enough to keep people safe as the population grows.
Texas Nonprofit Works With Volunteer GIS Expert to Map Broadband Need
An unexpected volunteer, a geographic information system (GIS) mapping expert helped a rural community in Texas establish its broadband connection. Bernie South is the GIS volunteer who mapped the data using information from the Census, school district hotpost addresses and areas of growth in the county. A former U.S. Navy electronics technician and geoscientist at Exxon Mobil, South has been retired for about a decade.
EMS upgrades a must
City Council recognized Elgin’s need for improved Emergency Medical Services during last week’s meeting, but remained apprehensive about a potential new service district.The proposed Bastrop County Emergency Services District No. 3 is looking to get in front of local voters with a new dedicated district for EMS. According to proponents, its creation would improve emergency response times, bring additional ambulances and increase medical capabilities with “rapid response” and “real results,” albeit a complicated issue to dissect.“In my opinion, we have sub-standard service now all over, and it’s definitely something that needs to grow and be better managed and increase the ...
Tuff Shed brings 5th Central Texas retail spot to Bastrop County
In addition to ordering a customized structure through Tuff Shed's website, customers can buy an already-made building from nearly two dozen Home Depot locations throughout the Central Texas area. (Jarrett Whitener/Community Impact) Founder and CEO Tom Saurey opened the fifth Central Texas retail location for Tuff Shed in mid-April. "We...
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