LA CROSSE, Wis., June 1, 2022 – Western Technical College was named a recipient of a $22,593 youth fire training grant from the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) at a press conference Tuesday morning.

The grant from DSPS helps provide funding for equipment and supplies with Western’s Youth Fire Fighter Training program, now beginning its second year this fall. The program, located at the Onalaska Fire Department, helps provide dual-credit opportunities for high school students interested in Basic Fire Safety Certification or Western’s Fire Protection Technician program. Last year alone, the program helped 9 local students earn credentials in these fields.

“Public safety training remains a core mission at Western,” said Western Technical College President Roger Stanford. “Much of the district we serve lies in rural areas, making recruiting and retaining volunteer firefighters difficult. This grant, along with the program, is helping provide students with opportunities earlier than ever before.”

“We are proud to support this example of innovative collaboration among high schools, technical colleges, and fire departments,” said DSPS Secretary Dawn Crim. “By working together, they create new learning opportunities for students, they leverage the expertise and resources in our wonderful technical college system, and they address significant recruitment challenges for the fire service.”