WPS Foundation awards $75,000 to help Northwoods first responders

The Wisconsin Public Service (WPS) Foundation is providing vital new tools to those who keep communities safe. The WPS Foundation is awarding $75,000 to help local first responders purchase lifesaving equipment and strengthen public safety as part of its Rewarding Responders Grant program.

“We are honored to continue our support of public safety agencies and the invaluable impact they make in our communities every day,” said Beth Straka, president of the WPS Foundation. “The important tools we help provide our first responders — from vital medical devices to heavy-duty equipment — can be critical in keeping people and our communities safe.”  

Including this year’s grants, the WPS Foundation has now donated more than $675,000 to help police, fire and emergency medical services agencies improve public safety across north-central and northeast Wisconsin. News outlets can download photos and videos from today’s grant unveiling with Life Link III.

Supporting safety and service to communities

WPS focuses on safety for its employees, customers and communities every day. The WPS Foundation’s Rewarding Responders Grant program supports the agencies that also are committed to keeping everyone safe. The grants help local first responders purchase lifesaving equipment or training that allows their members to improve public safety.

This year’s grant recipients include Life Link III, the air medical transport agency in Wisconsin’s Northwoods region. Life Link III used its grant to purchase a new infusion pump for its medical aircraft.

“We are honored to receive this generous grant from the WPS Foundation, and deeply appreciate their commitment to supporting emergency response organizations,” said Josh Howell, CEO of Life Link III. “The funding will allow us to acquire a new Sapphire pump, which plays a vital role in ensuring safe and accurate medication delivery to critically ill patients during air medical transport. This investment directly enhances our ability to provide high-quality care to the communities we serve, including those in and around Rhinelander.”

Grant recipients

The 2025 grant recipients from northern Wisconsin include:

• Arbor Vitae Fire and Rescue Department — confined space rescue tripod.

• Crandon Police Department — battery-powered rescue saw.

• Forest County Sheriff’s Department — rescue saws.

• Laona Fire Department Auxiliary — scene safety and thermal imaging tools.

• Life Link III — medical infusion pump.

• Newbold Fire Department — portable carbon monoxide detectors.

• Northwoods Emergency Medical Services District — child safety transport system.

• Pine Lake Fire Department — thermal imaging cameras.

• Stella Piehl Volunteer Fire Department — thermal imaging cameras.

The WPS Foundation offers its Rewarding Responders Grant each year to emergency response agencies that operate in the WPS service area. Eligible agencies can apply for up to $2,000 in funding through the grant. Since the program began, the WPS Foundation has helped 225 individual agencies through the grant.