For the Tomahawk Leader
WISCONSIN – The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) Office of School Safety (OSS) announced on Monday, July 11 that applications are now being accepted for the 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 Digital Mapping of School Buildings 2022 grant program.
The grant program will offer reimbursement to school boards and governing bodies of private schools for critical incident mapping data.
“Critical incident mapping provides a digital blueprint of a school that can be easily accessed by law enforcement on cell phones or other devices during a critical incident,” DOJ stated. “It provides a clear layout of a school for law enforcement when a quick response is necessary.”
2017 Wisconsin Act 143 requires every school district and private school governing body in Wisconsin to submit blueprints of their school to the local law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over their school and OSS.
2021 Wisconsin Act 109 amends 2017 Wisconsin Act 143 and allows school boards and governing bodies of private schools to submit critical incident mapping data to law enforcement and OSS in lieu of blueprints. 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 also created the grant program to assist school boards and governing bodies of private schools in submitting critical incident mapping data.
A total of $2,000,000.00 is available in grant funding. Applicants are eligible to apply for up to $5,000.00 per building (at a maximum of $200,000.00) per public school district, governing body of private schools, public schools and tribal schools.
Through Friday, July 22, priority will be given to schools who have never submitted maps/blueprints of school facilities to OSS. After this period, eligibility will be expanded to include all schools in Wisconsin, regardless of compliance status or prior map submissions, and will be reviewed on a first come first serve basis until $2,000,000.00 is allocated, DOJ said.
“Critical incident mapping data can help first responders get to the location of a critical incident as quickly as possible,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to the members of our team in the Office of School Safety for all of your work making our schools safer.”
“Critical incident mapping has been proven to be an effective tool used by schools and businesses throughout the nation,” Sheboygan Police Chief Christopher Domagalski stated. “Providing this grant to Wisconsin schools will be an additional tool that law enforcement has in protecting our schools, our citizens and our communities.”
For more information on the 2021 Wisconsin Act 109 Digital Mapping of School Buildings 2022 grant program, visit www.doj.state.wi.us/office-school-safety/school-safety-grants.