Riverside Fire District receives new heavy-duty life jackets from the WPS Foundation. MWC photo by Mike Leischner
ROTHSCHILD, WI (WSAU) — The Riverside Fire Department is upgrading its life vests.
The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation Rewarding Responders grant program approved the department’s request earlier this year and fulfilled the order on Wednesday. Chief David Briggs says it’s part of a plan to upgrade the department’s water rescue tools, which are essential in a community situated near the Wisconsin River and other waterways.
“Though parts of it are very slow-moving, that river is generally considered swift water,” said Briggs. “And of course, we are right across from Domtar, which is undertaking a [significant] dam reconstruction. It is timely that we have these now, forbid something happens [there], but we will be more prepared to serve in that capacity.”
The new vests are designed specifically for water rescues and replace the department’s current vests, which are more suited for survival in the water. Briggs also hinted that more upgrades could be announced in the near future, though he declined to provide any specifics on the record.
“There is another thing coming up, I’m sure you’ll hear about it soon. The needs that we have are being met this year. We will definitely have to improve our ice rescue [equipment] and some other things. But as far as water rescue, we are being taken care of very well by the community and grants,” said Briggs.
Briggs adds that the equipment will benefit the entire region because when a mutual aid box is activated, his team is there to help wherever it’s needed. “SAFER, Mosinee, Kronenwetter, Wausau- we support each other. If they have a water rescue, they’ll call us to assist. If we have one, we’ll call them. So not only will these serve our community, they will allow us to help others that we get called to.”
Additional departments that received grants include SAFER, Norwood, White Lake, Wittenberg, and the Edgar Volunteer Fire Department. The WPS Foundation distributed a total of $75,000 worth of grants this year. In total, the Foundation has distributed over $675,000 worth of equipment to 225 agencies.
The grant program allows first responders within the WPS service area to apply for funding for specific equipment or training. Departments are eligible to receive a grant once every other year, meaning Riverside will have to sit out the 2026 funding cycle.
The last time Riverside received a grant was in 2017, which was used to purchase a thermal imaging camera.
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