Madison, Wis. – Wisconsin Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) Secretary Dan Hereth welcomed guests from the state fire service on Monday for the dedication of a new display in the lobby of the DSPS office in Madison.
On the day following International Firefighters Day, the department celebrated its special relationship with the state fire service by unveiling a display that features fire patches DSPS has received from fire departments across the state over the years.
“As Wisconsin’s safety agency, we recognize the important role Wisconsin’s fire departments play in keeping Wisconsinites safe,” said DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth. “They are often the primary point of contact for safety questions and concerns in their communities”
Wisconsin DSPS provides services related to fire prevention, protection, and fire department safety and health, while also administering the state’s 2% Fire Dues Program. For the unveiling of the display, DSPS welcomed representatives from the Wisconsin State Fire Chiefs Association, Wisconsin State Firefighters Association, and Wisconsin State Fire Inspectors Association.
“Every time our staff walks through the lobby we will be reminded of our work with Wisconsin fire departments and the services we provide to the hundreds of departments across the state,” said April Hammond, DSPS Integrated Section Chief for the Fire Prevention/Safety and Health Program.
Following the dedication of that display, DSPS announced the winners in its latest round of the Youth Firefighter Training grants. This round, all the winners were from the Wisconsin Technical College System.
- Fox Valley Technical College
- Gateway Technical College
- Northcentral Technical College
- Western Technical College
The colleges will be awarded a total of $75,000 and partner with local school districts and fire departments to introduce careers and opportunities in the fire service to high school students in their area.
The technical colleges will teach the students beginning firefighter principals at their respective training facilities. The grant funds help pay for things like transportation from high schools to the tech college training centers, class materials, and turnout gear.
About DSPS
DSPS issues more than 240 unique licenses, administers dozens of boards and councils that regulate professions, enforces state building codes, and maintains the Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which is a key tool in the multi-faceted public health campaign to stem excessive opioid prescribing. A fee-based agency, DSPS is self-sustaining and receives no general fund tax dollars for its day-to-day operations. With two offices and roughly 250 employees, DSPS collaborates with constituents and stakeholders across a wide range of industries to promote safety and advance the economy.
