APPLETON (NBC 26) — Governor Tony Evers held an event Tuesday at Fox Valley Technical college to thank public health officials and healthcare workers for their response to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the event, he acknowledged the sacrifices many in healthcare have had to make over the past two years.
"I visited health care workers and public health officials across the state and I've seen it in their faces who haven't slept well in months," Evers said. "Please know we recognize that you have sacrificed mightily and worked tirelessly over the past two years in order to keep your community safe."
Evers also announced a $22 million dollar investment that he says will provide more resources for emergency first responders, which have played a critical role in the midst of the pandemic. The funds will support fire station construction and expansion, emergency medical services, emergency medical response program support, and expansion projects, as well as permanent immunization and drive-through testing sites throughout the state.
Several health leaders from the state government and around the Fox Valley spoke at the event. Secretary of the Department of Health Services Karen Timberlake reflected on how far the state has come in its response to the pandemic. According to Timberlake, the state has administered over 21 million COVID tests and over 9.5 million doses of the COVID vaccine and boosters.
However, Evers says the pandemic is far from over and at the event, he encouraged the public to get the vaccine and booster shot.
“Obviously we owe you a tremendous debt of gratitude," Evers said in regard to those in healthcare. "We will continue to support you and have you back as we work to follow the science and keep our communities healthy in the weeks and months ahead.”
According to a news release from the governor's office, the list of newly announced grant recipients includes:
- City of Altoona - $1,149,000 grant to expand a public safety garage with drive-through health services;
- Town of Beloit - $7,675,000 grant for fire station reconstruction;
- City of De Pere - $206,831 grant for a mobile EMS unit;
- Laona Rescue Unit - $2,790,000 grant for fire station construction;
- City of Oconto Falls - $7,000,000 grant for fire station expansion;
- City of Peshtigo - $3,001,379 grant for construction of two EMS stations;
- City of Waupun - $204,864 grant to expand emergency medical responder services;
- Westby First Responders - $15,000 grant for the purchase of a Lund University Cardiac Assist System (LUCAS) device.
The Neighborhood Investment Fund and Healthcare Infrastructure Capital Investment programs are administered by the DOA and funded through the American Rescue Plan Act. A list of grant awardees and additional information can be found on the respective program websites: Neighborhood Investments and Healthcare Infrastructure.
