CHI Health St. Francis Foundation To Award $44,050 To Local Fire And Rescue And Stroke Support
CHI Health St. Francis Foundation will award ten area fire and rescue departments and a stroke education program $44,050 in grant funding on Friday, Aug. 5 at the hospital. The majority of the funds, $41,242, were made possible by the Foundation’s annual premier fundraiser–Ticket to Win.
The following first responders will receive grants totaling $23,429 for the purchase of emergency lifesaving equipment and/or training expenses.
Aurora Volunteer Fire Department (Personal Protective Turnout Gear) $3,000
Cairo Volunteer Fire Department (Personal Protective Equipment) $3,000
Dannebrog Volunteer Fire & Rescue (Rescue Tools) $2,850
Doniphan Fire Department (Four Gas Monitors) $1,534
Grand Island Volunteer Fire Department (Radio Replacement) $3,000
Giltner Rural Fire Department (Hartwell CombriCarrier II) $1,345
Palmer Volunteer Fire Department (Equipment and Gear Improvements) $3,000
St. Libory EMS (AED Project) $2,800
Wood River Fire & Rescue (Wauk Board) $1,500
Boelus Fire Department (Phillips Heart Start FRX AED) $1,400
Project Think FAST will also receive a $20,621 grant. Strokes are the fourth leading cause of death in Central Nebraska and this St. Francis program will provide targeted community and patient education. The movement will also serve to enhance EMS response training related to the importance of timely identification and immediate life-saving actions when faced with warning signs and symptoms of stroke.
Since 2017, the CHI Health St. Francis Foundation has awarded over $248,000 in total to local fire and rescue departments for emergency lifesaving equipment and training expenses. Emergency first responders in Hall, Hamilton, Howard, Merrick and Greeley counties are eligible to apply for Ticket to Win grant funding.
“Our community is very fortunate to have dedicated first responders whose actions save lives. Making sure these emergency response workers have the equipment and training they need to do their jobs and serve our communities is one of the ways we give back,” says Foundation Director Melissa Griffith.
To learn more about the Ticket to Win fundraiser and grant opportunities offered to local fire and rescue departments, contact the Foundation at (308) 398-5400.