Compeer awards grants to area fire and ambulance services

Emergency response departments serving rural communities in Minnesota, Illinois, and Wisconsin have been awarded $731,000 for equipment needs and program enhancements through Compeer Financial’s Fund for Rural America. Among those receiving grants were several departments in Dodge County.
A total of 173 grants were extended by the Farm Credit cooperative’s giving program, including 13 collaboration grants for equipment shared across multiple departments.
Hayfield Ambulance will be receiving a grant for replacing radios, pagers, batteries and chargers.
As part of the Emergency Response Equipment Collaboration Grant, Claremont Fire and Dodge Center Ambulance will be getting a battery-operated combination tool.
Other area departments receiving grants were West Concord Fire Department and Ambulance for grain bin rescue and high angle rescue equipment and Faribault Fire Department for tripod lights and high output batteries.
The Emergency Response Equipment Grant program is designed to financially support equipment essential for emergency response departments serving rural communities. It was enhanced three years ago when the Fund for Rural America added the Emergency Response Equipment Collaboration Grant, underscoring the importance of teamwork among volunteer fire, rescue and ambulance departments in rural areas.
“We recognize rural departments frequently share resources and essential life-saving equipment,” said Karen Schieler, manager corporate giving at Compeer Financial. “The spirit of collaboration is robust among emergency departments within Compeer’s territory, and we are committed to positively impacting more lives. First responders tirelessly dedicate themselves when people are in distress, and these tools and resources will be indispensable in critical situations.”
The Fund for Rural America has awarded more than $4 million in grants supporting rural first responders since 2018. Compeer intends to offer these grants again in August 2025.
The 2024 Emergency Response Equipment Collaboration Grants offer up to $10,000 and will directly impact 52 collaborating departments.