The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is putting important new tools in the hands of the men and women who keep communities across Wisconsin safe. WPS Foundation is awarding $75,000 to help more than 40 area public safety agencies purchase lifesaving equipment.
The funding is part of the WPS Foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant program, which supports first responders across northeast and north central Wisconsin.
“We are honored to support the brave individuals who work tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe, secure and welcoming,” said Beth Straka, president — WPS Foundation. “From helping children safely get to school to providing critical medical care, these grants give first responders the invaluable tools they need to serve our communities.”
Including this year’s grants, the WPS Foundation has awarded more than $600,000 to help police, fire and emergency medical services agencies strengthen public safety in their communities.
Helping everyday heroes make a lasting impact
The Rewarding Responders Grant is part of WPS’ ongoing commitment to safety for its employees and communities. The program’s grants help local first responders purchase critical equipment or training that allows their members to improve public safety.
This year’s grant recipients include the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office, Kronenwetter Police Department and Howard Fire Rescue Department. The Vilas County Sheriff’s Office is using its grant to purchase a new thermal imaging device, while the Kronenwetter Police Department’s grant is being used to acquire new batteries and electrode pads for the department’s automated external defibrillators (AEDs). The Howard Fire Rescue Department is putting its grant toward a new rapid deployment watercraft to help its firefighters better respond to incidents in limited-access areas.
“The WPS Foundation has stepped up and filled a void that we were unable to budget for,” said Patrick Schmidt, chief deputy — Vilas County Sheriff’s Office. “This grant has provided us the funds to purchase a thermal imaging device that will help in search and rescue as well as tactical situations. Without this partnership, this equipment would not be able to be used to help keep Vilas County safe.”
“We’re extremely grateful to WPS for their continued support of local municipalities and first responders,” said Terry McHugh, police chief — Kronenwetter Police Department. “Our officers can often be the first on scene to a medical emergency. Every second counts in these situations, and this grant gives us the tools to save lives.”
“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 will cut our response time down dramatically when time is of the essence to get to a patient. It will allow us to navigate limited-access areas, shallow ponds and streams our current boat and trailer would never be able to reach.”
Grant recipients
The 2024 grant recipients are:
- Algoma Police Department — Protective helmets for police officers
- Antigo Police Department — Fire suppression tool
- Bevent First Responders — AED
- Branch Fire and Rescue Department — Thermal imaging camera
- Calumet County Sheriff’s Office — Safe transport system for individuals
- Coleman Volunteer Fire Department — Vehicle accident stabilization tools
- Crandon Fire Department — Water rescue suits
- Crivitz Police Department — Brush guards for police vehicles
- Goodman-Armstrong Rescue Squad — Gas detectors
- Hamburg Volunteer Fire Department — Safety clothing for firefighters
- Hatley Area Fire and Ambulance District — Patient transport unit for rugged terrain
- Haven Fire Department — Vehicle accident extrication tools
- Howard Fire Rescue Department — Rapid deployment watercraft
- Kewaunee Police Department — Student and school crossing guard safety equipment
- Kronenwetter Police Department — New batteries and electrode pads for AEDs
- Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office — Individual first-aid kits for mobile field deputies
- Marathon County Sheriff’s Office — Explosive device protection and safety glasses
- Middle Inlet Fire Department — Fire hose nozzle with hydraulic vent
- Minocqua Police Department — Upgraded emergency response kits for officers
- Mosinee Fire District — Gas detector
- Nasewaupee Fire Rescue Department — High-visibility traffic safety equipment
- Nokomis Volunteer Fire Department — Thermal imaging cameras
- Oconto Fire and Rescue Department — Clip-on carbon monoxide detectors
- Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team — Face masks for rescue divers
- Oshkosh Fire Department — Forcible entry tools
- Peshtigo Fire Department — Gas detector
- Plover Police Department — Portable fire suppression tools
- Reedsville Fire Department — Vehicle extrication gloves
- Rhinelander Police Department — Aerial drone with thermal imaging camera
- Ringle Fire Department — Air lift bags
- Rockwood Fire Department — Heavy-duty rescue saw
- Southern Door Fire Department — Automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
- Stockton Fire Department — Emergency alert pagers
- Sugar Camp Fire Department — Automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Town of Brillion First Responders — Patient vital signs measurement equipment
- Town of Hewitt Volunteer Fire Department — New firefighting hose
- Town of Two Rivers Fire Department — Personal safety flashlights
- Valders Fire and Rescue — Rope rescue equipment
- Vilas County Sheriff’s Office — Thermal imaging device
- Waupaca Area Fire District — Gas detector
- Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office — Water rescue drysuit
- Woodruff Fire Department — Gas detectors
Legacy of supporting public safety efforts
The WPS Foundation offers its Rewarding Responders Grant annually as part of its longstanding support of public safety efforts. Since the program began, the grants have helped 211 individual agencies acquire lifesaving equipment or vital training to enhance safety in their communities.
Eligible emergency response agencies can apply for up to $2,000 in funding through the grant program. Agencies may receive a grant if they:
- Operate in the WPS service area.
- Did not receive a grant during the previous year.
- 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 may be put toward unique, safety-related projects that are one-time efforts.