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Town of Ixonia Fire Department — The Ixonia Fire Department will use the grant to replace outdated power saws.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City of Port Washington Fire Department — The Port Washington Fire Department requested funding to replace outdated combustible gas and carbon monoxide detectors.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.
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.
