St. Francis Foundation awards more than $127,632 to local fire/rescue and life-saving skills training

This morning, sixteen local first responder organizations were awarded $66,565.80 in grant funding at CHI Health St. Francis. These funds were made possible through the hospital's annual fundraiser, Ticket to Win.

GRAND ISLAND – This morning, CHI Health St. Francis Foundation awarded more than $127,632 to 16 local fire and rescue departments and funded trauma skills training at the hospital. The majority of the grant funding was made possible by the Foundation’s annual premier fundraiser–Ticket to Win.

The following first responders received grants totaling $66,565.80 for unbudgeted expenses:

Alda Volunteer Fire Department (Personal Protective Equipment) $7,000
Aurora Fire Department (Firefighter Bunker Gear) $7,000
Boelus Fire & Rescue (Ventilation Fan & Air Bags) $4,000
Cairo QRT (AED, Binder Life & Equipment Storage) $4,000
Central City Ambulance (Suction Machines & Pulse Oximeters) $2,000
Dannebrog/Boelus Rescue Squad (Scoop Stretchers) $3,156.80
Doniphan Fire (Personal Protective Equipment) $2,000
Grand Island Fire Department (Dive Rescue Equipment) $5,000
Greeley Rescue Squad (Emergency Pagers) $2,0000
Grand Island Rural Fire Department (Thermal Image Camera) $6,000
Giltner Rural Fire Department (Battery Powered Ventilation Fan) $4,000
Hampton Fire & Rescue (Firefighter Bunker Gear) $8,000
Palmer Volunteer Fire Department (SCBA Bottles, Hurst Ram Cutter & Spreader) $4,000
Phillips Fire & Rescue (Powered Stryker Cot) $2,500
St. Libory EMS (Full Vacuum Body Splint) $2,000
Wood River Fire & Rescue (Stop The Bleed Kits & Burn Kits) $4,000

The hospital’s Educational SIM Center, a resource for St. Francis clinicians, area emergency medical personnel and the community, received a grant of $61,066.50. The center is acquiring a pediatric and an adult high-fidelity manikin, used to simulate various trauma scenarios, offering clinicians valuable opportunities to hone their lifesaving skills.

Since 2017, the CHI Health St. Francis Foundation has awarded more than $614,907 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.

“By investing in the advanced capabilities of our local first responders, who are true life-savers, we are fulfilling our mission to create healthier and safer communities for all. Our region is incredibly fortunate to have these dedicated men and women, and we are deeply thankful for all those who support Ticket to Win each year,” 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.