In the early morning hours of July 10, 1999, Kirt experienced an unimaginable loss. A house fire claimed the lives of his wife, Elly; his three children, William, Alexis, and Natalie; and a nephew. The home had no smoke detectors, something that could have changed everything.

Out of this tragedy, a mission was born. The WANE Fire Safety Prevention Endowment Fund was created to ensure that families have access to life-saving fire prevention education and smoke detectors. With Kirt's unwavering support, along with the dedication of the Chippewa Falls Fire Department, local schools, and generous contributions from the Optimist Club, Northwestern Bank, and the Pickerign family, the fund was officially established in the spring of 2007.

Since then, the WANE Fire Safety Prevention Endowment Fund has grown beyond its original community, expanding throughout Chippewa County to reach more families each year. Its work focuses on raising awareness, providing essential resources, and helping prevent future tragedies.

While the fund's beginnings are rooted in profound loss, its' purpose is firmly focused on hope. As a field of interest fund, it will continue to educate, equip, and protect generations to come, ensuring that more homes are safer and more lives are saved.