MADISON, Wisconsin – The Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) has sent payments totaling $36,156,119 to fire departments across the state as part of the Wisconsin 2% Fire Dues Program, according to a press release. The figure represents a nearly 12% increase over the total distribution in 2024.
“This funding is extremely important to fire departments across our state, many of which are staffed either partially or wholly by volunteers,” said DSPS Secretary Dan Hereth. “Fire departments are vital to ensuring the safety of our Wisconsin communities, and as Wisconsin’s safety agency we are proud to play a role in this 2% Fire Dues program that supports our partners in the state fire service.”
The 2% Fire Dues Program requires insurers to pay 2% of premiums collected for insurance against loss from fires. The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance collects the dues, and DSPS distributes the dues to qualifying cities, towns, and villages across the state according to a prescribed formula. You can see a detailed accounting of the 2025 distribution on the DSPS website.
The program is a significant source of funding for the state’s professional, volunteer, and hybrid fire departments, which use the money to operate fire prevention programming, train crews, help pay for fire engines and fire suppression equipment, and more.
“Gov. Evers and this administration understand that departments provide an invaluable service protecting Wisconsinites, their homes, and our cities, towns, and villages,” Hereth said. “Funding really benefits every citizen and community in our state, whether it’s through improving fire safety education, improving fire department equipment, or funding for recruitment and training of the next generation of firefighters.”
In addition to the Fire Dues program, DSPS regulates firefighter health and safety, and also manages Wisconsin’s fire prevention program.
DSPS launched a youth firefighter training grant program in 2022 to help address recruitment and retention challenges in the fire service. The latest round of grants was awarded earlier this year to four training programs at technical colleges across Wisconsin.
DSPS also announced this week that its Wisconsin Fire Safety Dashboard, a free tool for fire departments across the state, has been updated with 2024 data. The tool can now even better support community risk reduction efforts at fire departments across Wisconsin.
About DSPS
DSPS issues more than 240 unique licenses, administers dozens of boards and councils that regulate professions, enforces state building codes, runs the state fire prevention program, and maintains the award-winning Wisconsin Enhanced Prescription Drug Monitoring Program, which is a key tool in the multi-faceted public health campaign to stem excessive opioid prescribing. A fee-based agency, DSPS is self-sustaining and receives no general fund tax dollars for its day-to-day operations. With five offices and 250 employees throughout Wisconsin, DSPS collaborates with constituents and stakeholders across a wide range of industries to promote safety and advance the economy.
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Posted: Jul 17, 2025
Columbus (OH) Mayor Andrew J. Ginther recently outlined his $2.9 billion 2025 Capital Budget proposal and it included $15 million for fire apparatus, according to a press release.
“This budget focuses on my most fundamental priority – keeping every Columbus resident healthy, safe and stably housed,” said Ginther. “Upgrading our emergency response vehicles to support swift response times…this budget proposal invests first and foremost in our collective safety and wellbeing.”
The proposal received support from Steve Stein, president of the International Association of Firefighters Local 67, who earlier this year said the fire department was in an “apparatus crisis.”
According to a city official, the $15 million in the proposed budget would be the city’s largest investment in fire apparatus in a decade, abconyourside.com reported.
Stein said he appreciates the support, but adds it’s not a quick fix. He said it takes about two years to get new trucks.
Stein said the $15 million in Mayor Ginther’s budget, combined with a $50 million bond package for fire equipment on the ballot this November, should help close the gap, according to the ABC report.
In April, the Columbus fleet administrator said there was not an apparatus crisis and assured that the city has more than enough fire trucks and ambulances to protect everyone, the ABC report said.
The post Columbus (OH) Proposes $15M for Fire Apparatus appeared first on Fire Apparatus: Fire trucks, fire engines, emergency vehicles, and firefighting equipment.
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Posted: Jul 17, 2025
Many manufacturers are using stock or program fire apparatus as one way to offer fire departments the apparatus they need at reduced costs and with reduced delivery times. This month, we asked Bill Adams and Ricky Riley: What are your thoughts on stock/program fire apparatus?
Stock Rigs: They Can Be Beneficial to All Parties
BY BILL ADAMS
Stock and program (stock/program) fire apparatus is an oft discussed and interesting topic most recently addressed by Editor Chris Mc Loone’s podcast, “FDIC 2025 and the Broader Fire Apparatus Context,” and his April 2025 article, “Exploring the Stock Fire Apparatus Option.” In 2016, I also addressed it in “Apparatus Purchasing: Stock, Standard, Or Demo, Parts 1 and 2.”
Stock/program initiatives have become increasingly beneficial to manufacturers and dealers (sellers) alike as evidenced by them aggressively promoting the concept. Showing no disrespect to sellers, the subject is addressed herein void of their sales and marketing philosophies. Consider reviewing and evaluating sellers’ published comments in Mc Loone’s articles, in Part 2 of mine, and on their sales literature and Web sites. It is important to note some apparatus dealers may have their own local stock/program strategies.
Sellers promote benefits gained by purchasers more so than those received by themselves except, of course, when claiming savings are being passed along. That is a smart sales strategy not subject to criticism. Rarely are potential disadvantages addressed to buyers. That also is an astute business decision.
When carefully analyzed, purchasing stock/program apparatus can be very advantageous to buyers. Because buyers and sellers are not always on the same page, possible misunderstandings and potential drawbacks are worth investigating.
DEFINITIONS
There are no rules, regulations, or official definitions for stock, program, and demonstrator (demo) apparatus. Some definitions are literal; some are not. Everyone is entitled to their own interpretations of each. Cambridge Dictionary’s literal definition of stock says it is something “for use or sale— now or in the future.” Amplification of such a literal definition varies with each seller’s marketing efforts. Many sellers are very good at what they do. And, it is the buyer’s option whether or not to accept a seller’s interpretation and presentation. My simplistic definition of a stock rig is one that’s already built and is ready for immediate sale similar to new automobiles on car dealership lots. Almost all sellers expand that characterization to include stock/ program apparatus that are on order or scheduled for production—a smart sales and marketing strategy.
One literal definition of program says it is “a series of instructions that make a computer perform an operation,” which has nothing to do with fire trucks. Hence, a program truck is whatever the manufacturer wants to call it. They are usually designed for specific markets or geographical areas—another smart sales and marketing strategy. Demonstrator (demo) apparatus can be used to introduce new features and products as well as to promote a manufacturer’s line of stock/program apparatus. Hence, a demo truck can also be a stock truck, a program truck, or all three.
Sellers promote multiple benefits of manufacturing standardized apparatus when describing stock/program rigs. I defer to their definitions. My simplistic explanation is the more identical widgets are made, the less expensive they are to make. It’s more so when they’re made at the same time.
PERCEPTION AND PRIDE
Some fire departments have a preconce
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Posted: Jul 17, 2025
The annual antique fire apparatus muster and flea market along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Pennsylvania Pump Primers, was held July 12.
The Pennsylvania Pump Primers Association is an organization of antique fire apparatus enthusiasts, many of whom own, drive, maintain, and improve their own fire trucks and related vehicles and equipment, according to the organization’s Web site.
The Pump Primers were founded in Harrisburg in 1975 and the following year became the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the national organization the Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America (SPAAMFAA). Every July the Pennsylvania Pump Primers holds its annual muster in Harrisburg along the banks of the Susquehanna River in Riverfront Park. Over the years the muster has drawn an average of 100 pieces of antique apparatus that participate in activities including static display and active drafting and pumping from the river. The muster also features an extensive flea market and fire related contests and games.
Photos from 49th Antique Fire Apparatus Show: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3
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