The We Energies Foundation is helping everyday heroes keep their communities safe. This year, the foundation is awarding a record $100,000 to help more than 50 police, fire and other public safety agencies across Wisconsin purchase lifesaving equipment. The funding is part of the We Energies Rewarding Responders Grant program.
“We are proud to support the brave individuals who work tirelessly to create a brighter future for our communities,” said Beth Straka, president — We Energies Foundation. “Our first responders race toward danger and distress, putting others’ safety ahead of their own lives every day. We’re honored to help provide these vital tools to keep everyone safe.”
Donations that make an invaluable impact
Since 2020, the We Energies Foundation has donated $200,000 through its Rewarding Responders Grant program. More than 100 police, fire and emergency medical services (EMS) departments across Wisconsin have received grants of up to $2,000 to improve public safety in their communities.
This year’s recipients include the Wauwatosa Fire Department, City of Burlington Fire Department, City of Muskego Fire Department, City of Oak Creek Police Department, Lake Country Fire and Rescue, Village of Fox Point Police Department, Village of Grafton Fire Department, Village of Greendale Fire Department, Village of Mukwonago Fire Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. All 10 departments received their grants and equipment during an unveiling ceremony Tuesday.
Improving safety with important tools
The 2022 grant recipients are:
- Beechwood Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Black River Falls Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Bloomer Community Ambulance — Off-road rescue patient transport
- Bloomfield – Genoa City Fire & Rescue — Air monitoring equipment
- Blue River Fire Department — Rescue chainsaw
- Butler Volunteer Fire Department — Automated external defibrillator (AED)
- Caledonia Fire Department — Coldwater rescue suits and helmets
- Calumet County Sheriff’s Office — Safety lights
- Cashton Fire and First Responders — Thermal imaging cameras
- City of Burlington Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- City of Monroe Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- City of Muskego Fire Department — Thermal imaging camera
- City of Oak Creek Police Department — Thermal imaging camera
- Clintonville Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Coloma Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Columbus Fire Department — Command vehicle equipment
- Cuba City Fire Department — Thermal imaging camera
- Dale Fire & Rescue — AED
- Embarrass Volunteer Fireman’s Association — Multi-gas detector
- Fall River Fire Department — Battery-powered positive pressure fan
- Freedom First Responders — Emergency lighting
- Greenwood Area Fire and EMS District — Multi-gas detector
- Iron Ridge Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Kiel Fire and Rescue — Rescue saws
- Kimberly Fire & Rescue Department — Firefighter hoods
- Lake Country Fire & Rescue — Multi-gas detectors
- Lancaster Fire Department Fund — Fire rehabilitation equipment
- Marshall Volunteer Fire Department — Flashlights
- Menasha Police Department — Officer wellness equipment
- Mequon Police Department — AED
- Merton Community Fire Department — Thermal imaging camera
- Mt. Calvary Ambulance Service — Portable radios
- Neenah-Menasha Fire Rescue — Multi-gas detector
- Pepin County Sheriff’s Office — Swift water rescue vests
- Redgranite Area Fire District — Multi-gas detector
- Rochester Volunteer Firefighters Association — Radio integration equipment
- Saukville Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Silver Creek Volunteer Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Stanley Fire EMS Department — Multi-gas detector
- Sullivan Volunteer Fire Department — Thermal imaging camera
- Sun Prairie Fire and Rescue Company — Multi-gas detector
- Troy Center Fire Department — Positive pressure fan
- Village of Fox Point Police Department — Scene lighting equipment
- Village of Grafton Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Village of Greendale Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Village of Hartland Fire Department — Replacement boots and helmets
- Village of Mukwonago Police Department — AED
- Waldo Fire Department — Multi-gas detector
- Washington County Sheriff’s Office — Scene lighting equipment
- Wauwatosa Fire Department — Ballistic protection for rescue task force
- Westfield Fire Department — Scene lighting equipment
- Wind Lake Volunteer Fire Company — Thermal imaging cameras
The We Energies Foundation offers its Rewarding Responders Grants annually to enhance public safety. Each emergency response agency can apply for up to $2,000 in funding. They are eligible to receive a grant if they:
- Operate in the We Energies service areas.
- 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.