For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) foundation is providing a grant opportunity for emergency response agencies.
“First responders work tirelessly to help everyone stay safe,” WPS said. “The WPS Foundation is once again supporting these vital agencies through its Rewarding Responders Grant.”
Emergency response agencies can apply for a Rewarding Responders Grant through June 15.
WPS said the WPS Foundation will award $50,000.00 in grants to help public safety agencies receive equipment or training.
“Last year, these grants helped nearly 30 agencies receive important safety tools, such as automated external defibrillators, firefighting face masks and insulation for water rescue suits,” WPS stated.
Since 2014, the WPS Foundation has provided more than $400,000.00 in grants to nearly 230 public safety agencies across northeast and north central Wisconsin.
“This grant allowed our team to purchase new equipment that has made its job easier,” said Terri Hook, commander of the Oneida County Public Safety Dive Team, which received a 2021 grant for new insulation for its water rescue suits. “The new insulation for our water rescue suits may not have been available to us had it not been for this grant. It is only with the help of organizations such as the WPS Foundation that our team of dedicated divers can continue to provide this very important service to the citizens of Oneida County.”
In 2020, the Tomahawk Fire Department used grant funds to purchase two new automated external defibrillators (AEDs).
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 2021, complete an online grant application, and demonstrate the equipment or training they will acquire is part of a well-planned effort to improve public safety, WPS said, adding that grants also can be put toward unique, safety-related projects that are one-time efforts.
A limited number of grants of up to $2,000.00 are available to eligible departments.
Interested agencies can apply or learn more about the grant at www.bit.ly/3vOi9H3.