Poynette-Dekorra Fire District Awarded $288,527 FEMA Grant to Enhance Firefighter Safety with New Breathing Apparatus
For Immediate Release Poynette, WI – September 30, 2025, 03:33 PM CDT
The Poynette-Dekorra Fire District is excited to announce it has received a $288,527.61 federal award from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) through the Fiscal Year 2024 Assistance to Firefighters Grant (AFG) Program. This funding will enable the district to upgrade critical personal protective equipment, replacing our current SCBA units that are over 20 years old with new NFPA-compliant Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) units and additional face pieces to better protect our dedicated firefighters while they safeguard our community from fire and related hazards. Additionally, the district provides essential EMS services to Poynette, Dekorra, and Lowville, ensuring comprehensive emergency response.
The grant covers the majority of the $302,954.00 total project budget, with the district contributing a 5% non-federal match of $14,426.39. The approved scope includes:
- 34 SCBA units, each consisting of a harness/backpack, face piece, and two cylinders, at a total cost of $297,364.00.
- 10 additional face pieces (not associated with SCBA requests) to ensure all personnel have individually assigned equipment, at a total cost of $4,590.00.
- $1,000.00 for contracted grant writer services.
“This grant is a game-changer for our team,” said Fire Chief Cameron Radewan of the Poynette-Dekorra Fire District. “This state-of-the-art equipment will provide our firefighters with the reliable protection they need in hazardous environments. We’re grateful to FEMA for recognizing our needs and investing in the safety of our first responders and the residents we serve. A special thanks to Stephen Raclaw from Mutual Aid Consulting for his expertise in securing this vital funding.”
The Assistance to Firefighters Grant Program aims to protect the health and safety of the public and firefighting personnel against fire-related hazards. This award aligns with that mission by equipping the district with modern, lighter, and more advanced SCBA systems that will improve safety and overall effectiveness during emergencies.
The Poynette-Dekorra Fire District serves the communities of Poynette, Dekorra, and Lowville, covering essential fire and emergency medical services with a team of committed volunteers and staff. This upgrade will ensure we continue to deliver top-tier protection for years to come.
We’re thrilled about this win for our community—stay tuned for updates as we put this gear into action!
Contact: Cameron Radewan Fire Chief Poynette-Dekorra Fire District 606 Water Tower Rd, PO Box 364 Poynette, WI 53955 Phone: 608-635-4466 Email: info@pdfd.net
(This project is funded in part with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.)