Friday, August 28, 2020

#FridayGiving: We Energies Foundation announces inaugural Rewarding Responders Grants

The We Energies Foundation is awarding $50,000 in grants to public safety agencies across Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula to purchase lifesaving equipment. 

The money is being awarded to more than 30 departments through the inaugural We Energies Rewarding Responders Grants. Each recipient has been awarded up to $2,000.

We Energies President Tom Metcalfe personally awarded a grant to Milwaukee Fire Chief Mark Rohlfing and other members of the Milwaukee Fire Department. They plan to use the grant to purchase a combustible gas detector.



Other recipients include: 

City of Waukesha Fire Department — Waukesha firefighters will use the grant to replace aging carbon monoxide (CO) meters in each of their oxygen delivery bags. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is both colorless and odorless. The department says the CO meters are their first line of defense in protecting paramedics and their patients.

City of Brookfield Fire Department — The Brookfield Fire Department has requested funding to buy firefighter rehabilitation equipment, including a specialized cooling towel. Rehabilitation equipment helps reduce the risk of firefighter injury.

Town of Ixonia Fire Department — The Ixonia Fire Department will use the grant to replace outdated power saws. The fire department keeps the saws on their front line engines and uses them to help extricate victims after car crashes, during fires and even natural disasters.

Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office — The sheriff’s office will use the grant to help fund their public safety drone program. Their goal is to train deputies to become drone pilots, which will help keep the community safe.

City of Port Washington Fire Department — The Port Washington Fire Department requested funding to replace outdated combustible gas and carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a deadly gas that is both colorless and odorless. Gas detectors can serve as a first line of defense in protecting firefighters and the public.

Appleton Fire Department — The Appleton Fire Department will use the grant to purchase a new fire hose. The fire department has been trying to replace older hoses over the last few years.

West Allis Fire Department — The West Allis Fire Department requested funding to purchase thermal imaging cameras. The cameras help firefighters see hazards through smoke and can help save lives if someone is trapped inside a burning building.

City of Franklin Fire Department — Franklin firefighters plan to use the grant to purchase personal voltage detectors. Voltage detectors can help prevent electrocution if firefighters respond to a scene with downed wires or other electrical equipment.

City of South Milwaukee
— The City will use the grant to purchase portable scene lights. They say that slips, trips and falls are the biggest causes of injuries at emergency incident scenes, with many attributed to poor lighting. Portable lights are easy to use and will make emergency response safer.

Crystal Falls Township Fire Department — The Crystal Falls Fire Department plans to use the grant to upgrade their breathing equipment with newer air bottles. New bottles weigh less, which helps reduce firefighter fatigue.

Nordic Ambulance Service — Nordic Ambulance Service, based in Foster City, requested funding to purchase more portable automated external defibrillators (AEDs). They say the new equipment will reduce response time and save lives.

The grants are part of We Energies’ commitment to safety in the communities the company serves. 

Since the early 1980s, We Energies has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in communities across its service territory. 

Friday, August 21, 2020

#FridayGiving: We Energies helps bring the Streets of Old Milwaukee to life

The Milwaukee Public Museum has reopened to the public. If you’re planning a trip, make sure to visit the Streets of Old Milwaukee.

From the immersive street car to Granny in her rocking chair to Abby the cat (have you found her yet?), the exhibit always wows visitors. We Energies is proud to support the popular reimagined exhibit through a multi-year financial pledge.


We believe it’s important to support community organizations and businesses in our service area – including museums, art groups and certain sport franchises – all of which bring an economic benefit to the communities we serve and contribute to our quality of life.

If you haven’t seen the new Streets of Old Milwaukee, plan a trip today.


#FridayGiving

Since the early 1980s, We Energies has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in communities across the state.

Read more about our year-long effort to highlight some of the incredible organizations we support here

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to make sure you don’t miss any #FridayGiving posts.

Friday, August 14, 2020

#FridayGiving: Helping a Milwaukee family build their dream home

On a warm summer day in Milwaukee, volunteers from We Energies strapped on tool belts, helmets and masks and went to work building a house for Habitat for Humanity.

We Energies President Tom Metcalfe stopped by to thank the volunteers and help out with the build.

“We talk about heroes in the community, and I think We Energies has really stepped up here. We’re not only challenged by storms this time of year and the COVID-19 pandemic, but we’re still finding time to put our hearts and soul into some of these important projects,” Metcalfe said.


Over the course of two days, volunteers climbed ladders, hammered nails and sawed wood. Their efforts will help a family build a safe, affordable home.

 

“I could not be prouder of the association we have with Habitat for Humanity,” Metcalfe said. “It goes back 25 years we’ve been supporting this organization, not only with funding, but with volunteers who come out here – giving up their time - to work on these important projects.”



#FridayGiving

Since the early 1980s, We Energies has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in communities across the state.

Read more about our yearlong effort to highlight some of the incredible organizations we support here.

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter to make sure you don’t miss any #FridayGiving posts.

Tuesday, August 11, 2020

Spartacus named new safe digging ‘ambassadog’

Dozens of dogs entered and almost 12,000 customers voted. On Aug. 11 (811 day), Spartacus, a 6-year-old, 6-pound Pomeranian from Caledonia, Wisconsin, was named our new safe digging “ambassadog”!

He may be little, but we’re giving him the huge responsibility of reminding our customers to call 811 at least three days before you dig.

Keep an eye out for Spartacus as part of our new ad campaign:

About 811

Whether you’re planting a garden or installing a fence, you could be putting yourself in danger if you strike an underground natural gas line or electrical cable. Contact 811 at least three days before you dig to have the location of buried utility lines marked — and to keep you and your family safe.