Westlake fire, police departments get $40,000 each for new equipment

The Westlake Fire and Police departments will buy new equipment thanks to two $40,000 donations from LyondellBasell (LYB).

LYB’s global corporate citizenship program aims to meet specific community needs by collaborating with local organizations. Armando Lara, site manager, told the American Press the departments both needed new equipment.

The fire department will purchase battery-powered excavation cutters and spreaders to improve agility and speed in response to emergencies. Fire Chief Jonathan Duff said WFD is purchasing the equipment in preparation for the Interstate 10 bridge reconstruction.

“This tool will give us the ability to respond faster and access harder-to-reach places, including incidents on the bridge,” he said. “It will also allow us to reserve our existing resources for other incidents north of the railroad tracks.”

The police department will buy updated radio equipment to ensure streamlined communication between officers and units.

“This update to our communication system will allow us to better serve the community of Westlake and the surrounding areas, and better equip our response capabilities ahead of the I-10 bridge reconstruction, Police Chief Chris Wilrye said in a release.

Lara said the “broader goals of the corporation” emphasize sustainability goals. A critical piece of meeting those goals is community outreach and support, and first responders are an essential component of the community.

“We live in the communities where we operate, so we need to support and benefit our home as much as possible,” he said. “Because of the nature of our business, we need to make sure that we manage risks in a proper way and having a relationship with the emergency respondents is an essential part of that.”

SportsPlus

Local News

Tsunami inspires life-saving training

Local News

Westlake fire, police departments get $40,000 each for new equipment

Crime

11/7: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Biden guarantees a ‘peaceful transfer of power,’ House control hangs in the balance

Local News

Hurricane Rafael taking a turn away from US

Local News

Landry: Tax changes needed to fuel population growth, encourage families to stay

Crime

11/6: Calcasieu Parish Sheriff announces arrest list

Local News

Reinvestment in Mid-City neighborhood begins

Local News

Avenue of Flags returns a day ahead

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls want to keep building

McNeese Sports

Cowboys looking to rebound…literally

Local News

APPJ fighting Coushatta land trust acquisitions

Local News

Donald Trump has sweeping plans for a second administration. Here’s what he’s proposed

McNeese Sports

Leak heats up Cowboy defense

Local News

Louisiana breaks multiple election records

Local News

Trump wins White House in political comeback rooted in appeals to frustrated voters

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column: Gerstner Field remembered

Local News

Trump wins Georgia, moving closer to reclaiming White House

Local News

Beauregard, Vernon voters favor Trump

Local News

GOP reclaims Senate majority

Local News

Republican Higgins wins re-election bid for US House

Local News

Bowers elected newest member of Calcasieu Police Jury

Local News

Early election takeaways: Trump weakens Democrats’ coalition

Local News

Vidrine elected to serve as Oakdale’s next mayor