Article Source: https://spmetrowire.com/stevens-point-police-raising-funds-to-equip-officers-with-epipens/

By Brandi Makuski

STEVENS POINT – The Stevens Point Police Department will soon begin equipping officers and squad cars with EpiPens, thanks to a new partnership with a nonprofit organization designed to improve emergency medical response.

The city’s Police and Fire Commission on Monday unanimously approved accepting donations from Giving Back Inc., a nonprofit working with Hometown Pharmacy to offer epinephrine auto-injectors at significantly reduced costs to first responders across Wisconsin.

Assistant Police Chief Dana Williams said she was inspired to pursue the initiative after learning about the 2024 death of 20-year-old Andrew Mueller of Wisconsin Rapids, who died after an allergic reaction to peanuts—an allergy he didn’t know he had.

“If he had an EpiPen available on patrol, it most likely would have saved his life,” Williams told the commission. “We’re often the first on scene, and sometimes unknown allergies can cause life-threatening reactions before ambulance crews arrive.”

Williams attended a benefit for Mueller at Golden Sands Speedway, where she learned that some law enforcement agencies in Wood County had already begun equipping their officers with EpiPens through a partnership with Giving Back Inc. She contacted police chiefs in Rome and Port Edwards to learn more about their process and brought the idea back to Stevens Point.

The nonprofit works under a statewide prescription model, offering EpiPens to departments at a fraction of typical pharmacy costs—about $105 per device.

With 47 officers to equip, the department estimates needing about $5,000 to cover the first round of EpiPens, which are only viable for one year before they expire.

Williams said the nonprofit will help the department launch a fundraiser on social media, where 100% of the donations will go toward purchasing the EpiPens. Stevens Point Assistant EMS Chief Joe Gemza has agreed to help train officers in their use.

“This is something we all believe is necessary for our citizens,” said Police Chief Bob Kussow. “No matter what, we’re going to do this and get each and every officer an EpiPen, but it would be nice to have a little bit of funding to assist us.”

Commission President Joseph Kirschling made the motion to approve accepting donations, which passed unanimously.

Commissioner Denise Mrozek thanked Williams for taking the initiative.

“Thank you for seeing an issue and bringing it to Stevens Point,” she said.