Foundation Gives $150K to Equip Emergency Responders

When an emergency call comes in, every second counts. Now, first responders across Upper Michigan and Wisconsin have better tools to save lives, thanks to a record-breaking $150,000 donation from the We Energies Foundation.

The money flowed through the foundation's Rewarding Responders Grant program, which just completed its biggest year yet. Police departments, fire stations, and ambulance services received equipment grants to purchase critical tools they desperately needed.

Twelve agencies across the region received funding for everything from thermal imaging cameras to life-saving defibrillators. Bay Ambulance got new patient assessment equipment, while the Kingsford Public Safety Department received an AED that could restart someone's heart during a cardiac emergency.

The Amasa Fire Department received both a thermal imaging camera and protective turnout gear. Marquette Township Fire and Rescue secured scene safety and water rescue equipment that will help them respond to emergencies on and around Lake Superior.

"These grants mean more than just new equipment," said Beth Straka, president of the We Energies Foundation. "Their true impact is felt when seconds are saved, damage is prevented and people's lives return to normal because first responders had the tools they needed."

The Ripple Effect

This donation represents more than immediate impact. Since launching in 2020, the Rewarding Responders Grant program has now distributed over $650,000 to first responders, helping hundreds of individual agencies across the service area.

The program keeps getting stronger. Each agency can apply for up to $2,000 annually, making expensive equipment accessible to smaller departments that might otherwise go without.

For rural communities like Crystal Falls and Faithorn Township, these grants level the playing field. They get access to the same lifesaving technology as larger cities, ensuring everyone receives quality emergency care regardless of where they live.

The new equipment doesn't just protect community members. Personal alert safety systems and protective gear keep firefighters themselves safer while they work to save others.

Emergency responders across two states now have better tools to protect the communities they serve.