The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is continuing its commitment to support local first responders and keep communities safe. The foundation is offering $75,000 through its Rewarding Responders Grant program to help police, fire and emergency medical services agencies improve public safety.
Emergency response agencies can apply for a grant through June 15.
Helping everyday heroes enhance public safety
The WPS Foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant helps northeast and north central Wisconsin public safety agencies receive lifesaving equipment or training. Last year, these grants helped 42 agencies receive important safety tools such as automated external defibrillators (AEDs), thermal imaging devices, hazardous gas detectors and water rescue equipment.
Since the program began in 2014, the WPS Foundation has awarded more than $600,000 to 211 individual agencies to help them strengthen public safety.
The Howard Fire Rescue Department is among those agencies, receiving a grant in 2024 to purchase a rapid deployment watercraft for its members to use during emergencies on local waterways.
“This grant allows for greater safety for our first responders, and a faster response for a person in need,” said Dennis Staeven, fire chief — Howard Fire Rescue Department. “The rapid deployment watercraft cuts our response time down dramatically when time is of the essence to get to a patient. It allows us to navigate limited-access areas, shallow ponds and streams that our other boat and trailer would never be able to reach.”
Applying for a grant
Emergency response agencies are eligible to receive a grant if they:
- Operate in the WPS electric or natural gas service area.
- Did not receive a grant in 2024.
- Complete an online grant application.
- Demonstrate the equipment or training they will acquire is part of a well-planned effort to improve public safety. Grants also can be put toward unique, safety-related projects that are one-time efforts.
Grants of up to $2,000 are available to eligible departments.