Central Fire District earns nearly $25,000 from DSPS
The Central Fire and EMS District will receive around $25,000 in Department of Safety and Professional Services funding. In total, the DSPS distributed $24,846,704 to Wisconsin fire departments as part of the 2 percent dues program. This is a major source of funding for state fire departments, which use the funding to replace equipment, operate fire prevention programming, train crews, and more.
The program requires insurers to pay 2% of premiums collected for insurance against loss from fires. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance collects the dues, and DSPS distributes the dues according to a prescribed formula that considers the property valuation of municipalities as well as total amount collected from insurers.
“Communities depend on fire departments for far more than extinguishing fires,” said DSPS secretary-designee Dan Hereth. “They operate fire prevention programming and provide invaluable education about fire and other safety risks. They provide invaluable disaster response support. Their community outreach also contributes to local social safety nets that help older adults remain in their homes safely as they age. We all benefit in myriad ways from properly funded fire departments.”
Fire departments rely on the funding for critical operations and supplies. Town of Lawrence Fire Chief Kurt Minten says the program funding covers everything from hoses, ladders, and trucks to helmets, boots, and other gear. “If it wasn’t for the 2 percent fire dues the Town of Lawrence receives, we would never be able to purchase or replace the personal protective equipment for our members,” Minten said.
The fire service is a key stakeholder group for DSPS. In addition to administering the 2% dues program, the department regulates fire fighter health and safety and manages the state fire prevention program. The department also launched a youth fire fighter training grant program to help address recruitment and retention challenges in the fire service.
“I am proud of everything we do to support the fire service,” Hereth said, “and I will continue to advocate for all the departments across the state that share our commitment to safe communities.”
