Finance committee approves submission of Firehouse Subs grant for fire equipment

The Wisconsin Rapids Finance Committee voted to approve the fire department's request to submit a Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant application for 2026. Chief Ben Goodro said the foundation's awards would fund equipment replacements without requiring city tax dollars.

Goodro told the committee the application is a non-matching grant, "so no tax dollars for city funds are to be used for this grant," and said submitted items on the department's quote total about $36,421.24 for appliances, hoses and nozzles. He framed the request as a budget-saving measure for next year, noting replacement costs for standard gear have risen: "Just one 50-foot section of two-and-a-half-inch hose is $246," he said.

Committee members moved and seconded the recommendation to submit the application and approved it by voice vote. The chief said approved items would outfit apparatus and cover depreciation and outlay needs; staff will proceed with the application to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

The grant request requires no local match and, if awarded, would reduce expected replacement costs in the fire department's 2027 equipment budget. The committee took no additional conditions and the motion passed by voice vote.