Wisconsin Safety and Professional Services Secretary Dan Hereth recently announced his department has opened applications for more Youth Firefighter Training Grants.
This is the fourth round of funding distributed through the DSPS grant program, which
helps address recruitment concerns of Wisconsin fire departments. The funding supports
programs that expose middle and high school students to career and volunteer opportunities in
the fire service, at a time when they are making decisions about future careers and endeavors.
“Wisconsin fire departments have an age problem. Longtime professionals and volunteers have
either retired or cut back, so recruiting and retaining replacements is vital, especially for the all-volunteer departments that protect many Wisconsin communities,” Sec. Hereth explained in
announcing this round of funding. “These grants help educate youth about the benefits of fire
service and service to their community.”
“We’re thankful for the opportunity that (our) students get to have,” said Luxemburg-Casco
Schools Director of Student Services, Mike Snowberry, who wrote the application that won a
nearly $25,000 grant last year for the Kewaunee County Junior Firefighter Program. “As you
know, the age is going up in our fire departments, so we’re hopeful with 17- and 18-year-olds we
can bring that number down and ensure safety and support in our communities for the future.”
The total amount of funding available is $150,000 over the next two years, with individual
applicants eligible for up to $25,000. DSPS revised eligibility guidelines last year to expand
grant funding opportunities to more groups in more parts of the state.
The funding is available to all qualified fire departments, technical colleges, and/or school
districts to establish or expand youth firefighter training programs for students.
The schedule for this latest round of grants is:
- February 3 – Grant applications open/DSPS hosts informational webinar
- March 2 – Application submission deadline
- March 19 – Anticipated grant awards announcement date
More information is available here.
In addition to the grant program, DSPS works with the state fire service to administer the 2%
Fire Dues program and to regulate firefighter health and safety. Last year, the department
unveiled a new, free Fire Risk Tool on its public website to help Wisconsin fire departments
assess risk in their respective communities.
Wisconsin fire departments provide fire prevention education to schools and community groups.
They also collaborate extensively with organizations working to support living in place for older
adults, and they provide critical demographic housing information and response support during
weather emergencies and natural disasters like floods, tornados, and wildfires.
No responses yet