Spencer FD gets $1,000 SHP grant
Security Health Plan of Wisconsin, Inc., will invest $1,000 in Spencer Fire Department as part of its Employee-Driven Corporate Giving grant program. Each month Security Health Plan awards a $1,000 grant to a different charity or organization that is nominated by a Marshfield Clinic Health System employee. Employees are encouraged to nominate organizations making a positive difference in the community.
“Spencer Fire Department offers a variety of life-saving services to the Spencer area,” Marshfield Clinic Health System physician assistant Mary Saeger said. “As an emergency response service in a smaller community, fundraising is always a concern and donations are important to sustaining this life-saving service. The equipment and supplies needed for firefi ghting and emergency medical services (EMS) are quite expensive and need to be updated regularly. Fundraising is a yearround effort.”
Saeger said her husband is currently starting a new career in emergency medical services and is a paramedic student. Last year he obtained his emergency medical technician (EMT)-basic certification. With that, he joined Spencer EMS, which is a part of Spencer Fire Department. Since he joined the department, Saeger said she has witnessed the dedication the team of EMTs and firefighters have to the Spencer community.
Community members who dedicate their time to aid the community in the event of medical emergencies or structural fires staff Spencer Fire Department. Saeger said having people close by in an emergency means response times are faster, which could be the difference between life and death.
“The group of individuals with whom he works have been very welcoming and work hard to provide a very important service to the community,” she said. “At a recent community event hosted by the department I saw firsthand how much the residents of Spencer and surrounding communities appreciate the hard work and dedication of the volunteers who work to make the community a safe place to live.”
Saeger said the funds from the Health Plan will be used to purchase needed supplies to support the existing life-saving operations Spencer Fire Department provides. She said the department is funded by the municipalities it serves, as well as donations and grants – which isn’t always enough to fully support the department’s needs.
Saeger added, “This grant to a small community volunteer fire department and ambulance service shows Marshfield Clinic Health System and Security Health Plan continuing to fulfill their mission to enrich lives by helping create healthy communities.”
