MONROE — The We Energies Foundation is awarding $100,000 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 every day,” said Beth Straka, president — We Energies 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 We Energies Foundation has now donated $500,000 to help police, fire and emergency medical services agencies improve public safety across Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan since 2020.

Supporting safety and service to communities

We Energies focuses on safety for its employees, customers and communities every day. The We Energies 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 the Oak Creek Fire Department, which used its grant to purchase water safety equipment, including personal flotation devices, rescue throw bags, throw rings and safety signage. The goal is to use these items at safety demonstrations in the community to improve water safety awareness.

“The generosity of the We Energies Foundation is more than financial support, it’s truly an investment in saving lives,” said Jeffrey Mallas, assistant fire chief of the Oak Creek Fire Department. “This impact will be felt by thousands of residents and visitors to Oak Creek.”

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

Grant recipients

The 2025 grant recipients include:

●  Albany Community Volunteer Fire Department — Gas detector

●  Browntown Cadiz Jordan Fire District — Gas detector

●  Columbus Fire Department — Gas detector

●  Endeavor/Moundville Fire Department — Active shooter response equipment

●  Grant County Sheriff’s Office — Automated external defibrillator (AED) 

●  Monroe Rural Fire District — Gas detector