Fairlawn – Continuing its mission of supporting hometown heroes, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation celebrated $83,928 worth of life-saving equipment grants awarded to four local public safety organizations during a press event at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 1 at the Firehouse Subs restaurant located at 3023 W. Market St. Fairlawn, Ohio 44333.
“Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation aims to recognize and respond to needs in the community,” said Firehouse Subs Senior Manager of Foundation Programs Jackie Gubbins. “Through the Foundation, we’re able to provide public safety organizations with needed equipment that they might not be able to obtain if it weren’t for this program. It’s an honor to know we’re helping save lives.”
Below is a brief description of each grant award including a brief description of equipment use and value:
Twinsburg Fire Department received a BullEx digital fire training system with smoke generator valued at $23,734. The awarded portable system will allow firefighters to create realistic fire conditions in any setting, allowing firefighters to safely prepare for fire emergencies.
Western Reserve Fire Museum & Education Center received a fire extinguisher training system and RACE Station trainer’s package valued at $19,424. The awarded equipment, which incorporates all the elements of response to an actual fire, will allow firefighters to train the community on the safe and proper way to respond to fire emergencies through hands-on instruction and demonstrations.
Windham Volunteer Fire Department Joint Fire District received a variety of rescue equipment valued at $21,240, including high-pressure rescue airbags, stabilization kits and cribbing. The awarded equipment will help stabilize motor vehicles involved in accidents, allowing firefighters to safely reach victims and provide medical assistance quickly and efficiently.
North Lawrence Volunteer Fire Department received 14 thermal imaging masks valued at $19,530. The awarded masks will be used to detect hot spots in burning buildings, as well as during search and rescue missions where smoke is thick, allowing firefighters to quickly locate victims and provide life-saving assistance.
A portion of every purchase made at any U.S. Firehouse Subs location in 2017 will go to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to be used to provide lifesaving equipment to first responders. This equipment was funded through the campaign.
Event attendees included local firefighters, as well as Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Senior Manager of Programs Jackie Gubbins, Firehouse Subs Franchise Business Manager Rick Highers, Firehouse Subs Manager of Real Estate Services Bob May, Firehouse Subs Regional Marketing Manager Ervin Hernandez, Firehouse Subs Area Representatives Paul and Sheryl Belle and the following Firehouse Subs franchisees: Matt Mikola, Chris Mikola, Diane and Bob Gregg, Carrie and Zoran Timic, Chris Compton and Nick Kalafatis.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Firehouse Subs co-founders, Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen, traveled to Mississippi where they provided food to first responders and survivors. As they traveled back to Florida, they knew they could do more and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was born with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations. Since its inception, the non-profit organization has granted more than $28 million to hometown heroes in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, including more than $1.3 million in Ohio.
Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon buckets, available to guests for a $2 donation to the Foundation. Donation canisters on register counters collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors.
