An oil and gas company is helping out emergency crews on the Western Slope. Recently, the DeBeque Marshals Office received a grant from Encana. It will be used for their patrol cars and will help officers’ better serve the community.

The oil and gas company gave the marshals office three laptops last month. The new computers will be used to facilitate a new in-car dispatch and report system.

The marshal's office has five people on staff and only three patrol cars. That's why it requested three laptops.

The marshal in DeBeque says he just received an e-mail Wednesday saying the computers were ready to go. He hopes officers will be able to use the new system in the next week or so.

Encana officials say they are happy to help out the community of DeBeque.

“We are really interested in safety and providing for the needs of the community,” spokeswoman for Encana Sandy Kent said. “We are a valued participant in that community and we want to help any way we can.”

The Marshal's Office requested the grant from Encana last month. Law enforcement says the computers will allow officers to do more from the patrol cars and operate like a bigger city.

The new in-car computers will allow the department to successfully map and plot emergency incidents and guide incoming rescue or  fire resources.

This isn't the first time Encana has helped out emergency responders on the Western Slope. It recently donated some equipment to Palisade's volunteer fire department and says anytime it can help out other organizations in the community it's willing to do so.