Washington County Issues Fire/EMS Grant Funding

 Washington County Issues Fire/EMS Grant Funding
 
WEST BEND, WI — Washington County has designated $1,000,000 of one-time funding in 2025 to support Fire/EMS efforts at the local level. These grants will provide financial assistance directly to local municipalities that fund eligible fire departments and fire/EMS organizations to assist with the provision of critical staffing, training, and equipment.
 
All Washington County municipalities are eligible to receive the funds, except for the City of West Bend, which is set to receive the majority of funds in the lead lateral grant program. Dollars will be distributed with proportional shares calculated based on population, equalized value and emergency call volume.
 
“These grants represent another positive outcome from the county’s meetings with all chief local elected officials over the past two years,” said County Executive Josh Schoemann. “Shared revenue allocations such as this help our municipalities stretch their budget dollars that otherwise would be absorbed by the increased costs facing Fire/EMS.”
 
Each municipality received an award letter, and must approve and accept the grant through a resolution process with their elected boards and councils. 12 of the 19 eligible municipalities have approved the funding so far.
 
Among the uses the funding can be used for include hiring fire and emergency response personnel, and incentives for volunteer recruitment and retention. Operations and safety costs are also covered for contract cost increases in excess of net new construction, EMS/Fire equipment such as personal protective equipment and specialty access vehicles, EMS training, updates to stations, and wellness and fitness.
 
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