Jacksonville-based Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®, a valuable resource to first responders throughout the country, recently provided a $33,180 critical grant award to the DeLand Fire Department. The funding will be applied toward the recent purchase of vehicle extrication tools that will be used to ensure greater lifesaving capabilities for first responders in the community, according to a news release from the city.
“This type of equipment is so important to DeLand as it will improve our response to vehicle accidents with heavy passenger entrapment. Vehicle metals and configurations have evolved over the past few years, and these specific tools are designed to cut through these metals when patient extrication is needed,” DeLand Fire Chief Todd Allen said in the release. “During these unique and difficult times, we’re so thankful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs in DeLand.”
Additional Firehouse Subs are in Orange City and Sanford, with four more in Daytona Beach, South Daytona, Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach.
First responders nationwide are often the first to experience the effects of a crisis. As communities gradually recover from the pandemic, additional safety protocols and equipment needs have created new challenges for first responders on the front line.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation helps meet those challenges.
In 2005, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Firehouse Subs Founders established the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The charity provides funding resources, lifesaving equipment, prevention education, and training and disaster-relief support to first responders and public safety organizations.
During the most recent grant cycle, the foundation awarded 120 grants to public safety organizations nationwide. The 120 grants total nearly $2.5 million, and were given to organizations in need of critical lifesaving equipment.
Since inception, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has granted more than $62.5 million to hometown heroes in 49 states and Puerto Rico.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is listed as a four-star nonprofi organization by Charity Navigator, the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. This is Charity Navigator’s highest designation.
Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors. More than 70 percent of the funds raised for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation come from the generosity of Firehouse Subs guests and the restaurant brand. Readers can consider supporting a Firehouse Subs restaurant near them.
To donate and learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.
