The donations come as the department waits for bond money that voters approved, which won't be available until next year.

The latest boost came Thursday night, when City Councilmember Brenda Stardig and the Firefighters Foundation of Houston presented the department with a $52,000 check -- enough for two additional swiftwater rescue boats.

"I hope my colleagues join with us to add more boats around the city," said Stardig, who represents District A and chairs the council's Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. She announced the donations at her district's give-back holiday party, which was held at a local brewery and attended by hundreds of constituents and first-responders.