Wisconsin Freemasons made another substantial donation of 40 life-saving Fire Suppression Tools and AED defibrillators to be carried in Wisconsin State Patrol vehicles across the state.
The donation was announced this morning during the Wisconsin Freemasons’ 180thAnnual Communication, the yearly business meeting of all Masonic Lodges. Over 500 Freemasons representing more than 150 Lodges were present at the event.
Last June, the Freemasons made a commitment to put an “Emergency Jump Bag” in each of the nearly 500 Wisconsin State Patrol vehicles. With the donation today of 40 bags in addition to the 60 donated to the Wisconsin State Patrol throughout the last year, the Freemasons have now placed 100 “Emergency Jump Bags” into State Troopers’ vehicles serving all corners of the state – meaning they have already met 20% of their goal.
“Wisconsin Freemasons are proud to support first responders like the Wisconsin State Patrol to find ways to make our communities safer and stronger,” said Tom Stevens of Chippewa Falls, who currently serves as the head of Wisconsin Freemasonry. “We want to make sure that those on the front line of public safety throughout Wisconsin have the tools they need should an emergency arise.”
Each “Emergency Jump Bag” donated by the Freemasons will contain a state-of-the-art Fire Suppression Tool (FST) and an AED defibrillator:
Ø The FST from Fire Suppression Solutions is a tremendously effective fire suppression device that, once activated, emits a nontoxic aerosol that can drop the temperature of an enclosed fire by over 1,000 degrees — and contain or even fully extinguish a fire within 30 seconds. Wisconsin Freemasons have donated over 500 of these units to first responders across Wisconsin in the two years, 29 of which have already been used to save lives, pets, and property.
Ø The Zoll AED defibrillator has been extremely effective in delivering an electronic shock to resuscitate a heartbeat for victims of cardiac arrest. The Freemasons have donated several hundred of these devices to schools and community centers across the state in the last decade, which have been directly credited with saving at least 38 lives.
Coupling these two devices together in a bright yellow jump bag in the trunks of State Patrol vehicles will increase and enhance public safety throughout the state. State Patrol officers are often one of the immediate first responders to arrive on the scene of a fire or crash, especially in rural areas.
“Minutes matter when responding to a fire or medical emergency,” Wisconsin State Patrol Superintendent Tim Carnahan said. “We are grateful for the donation of additional Emergency Jump Bags that give our troopers and inspectors the tools to respond sooner to an emergency.”
The emergency equipment was purchased through a generous donation from the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation, the fundraising and philanthropic arm of Wisconsin Freemasonry. The Foundation has also offered up a grant program to Lodges this year where it will contribute up to $1,500 towards a Lodge’s purchase of an “Emergency Jump Bags” for the State Patrol. The Foundation hopes to distribute 40 of these grants, getting the Freemasons closer towards their goal.
“From funding scholarships and children’s dyslexia centers – to donations to first responders, food pantries and other local causes, our mission is to provide the grants, support, and organizational assistance necessary to help Freemasons make communities better in the state of Wisconsin.,” said Peter Tourville, President of the Wisconsin Masonic Foundation. “That is why we are so proud to support the Wisconsin State Patrol and the tremendous work that they do to keep all Wisconsin citizens safe.”
Each “Emergency Jump Bag” costs approximately $3,000, which means that the Wisconsin Freemasons must raise $1.5 million to fully fund this statewide public safety endeavor. Anyone interested in contributing towards this cause should visit wimasons.org/foundation/to make a tax-deductible donation.
Freemasonry is the world’s oldest and largest fraternal organization with nearly 175 Lodges in Wisconsin. More information can be found at www.wimasons.org.
