The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services have announced the winners of a grant funding youth firefighting training.
The Youth Volunteer Firefighter Training Program aims to boost recruitment in fire departments by introducing fire service careers to students across the state. The program rewards a combined $75,000 in grant funding.
In a statement released Wednesday, the DSPS says that retention and recruitment have become difficult across Wisconsin, but more so among the rural, all-volunteer stations in rural communities.
The Youth Firefighter Grant Program is designed to help address these concerns by exposing high school students to career and volunteer opportunities in the fire service at a time when they are making decisions about their future careers and endeavors.