Jacksonville, FL (January 30, 2019) Firefighters have learned they don’t need “jaws of life” to extract a donation from Firehouse Subs. Founded by firefighters, the company recently donated $28,475 to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department to purchase lifesaving extrication equipment.
On January 30th, 2018, District 11 Council Member Danny Becton was joined by fellow At-Large Council Member Greg Anderson at the check presentation ceremony at the Firehouse Sub restaurant at 1949 San Marco Blvd.
The event featured a demonstration of the tools by Tom Winkler, a specialist at Hurst Rescue. The extrication tools are used to rescue automobile crash victims from mangled vehicles. The equipment decreases the time it takes to get victims removed from wreckage and to treatment.
“Firehouse Subs is an outstanding community partner that has continually stepped up to support our public safety professionals. Their emphasis on helping save lives and to the difficult work that our first responders perform speaks volumes about the Firehouse Subs organization. It was a privilege for me to have this opportunity to attend such an important event and to support this cause within our community.” CM Becton explained.
The money was raised by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The foundation was created in 2005 after Firehouse Sub founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen loaded trucks with food and supplies to feed first responders working Hurricane Katrina. To date, the foundation has given more than $31 million to firefighters across the nation, Puerto Rico and Canada.
The money is raised through customer donations and by the sale of recycled 5-gallon buckets. At the register, customers can “round up” their bill to the next nearest dollar amount to donate to the cause.
The following Press Release was provided by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundations:
MORE THAN $28,000 WORTH OF LIFE-SAVING EQUIPMENT AWARDED
TO JACKSONVILLE FIRE RESCUE DEPARTMENT
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Continuing its mission of supporting hometown heroes, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation will celebrate a life-saving equipment grant awarded to Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department during a press event at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 30 at the Firehouse Subs restaurant located at 1949 San Marco Blvd. Jacksonville, Fla. 32207.
Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department received extrication equipment valued at $28,475. A training session with Hurst Rescue Tool Specialist Tom Winkler will kick off the event. He will demonstrate how the awarded extrication equipment will improve the department’s rescue capabilities for victims in motor vehicle accidents by drastically reducing extrication time, improving a patient’s chances of survival. Jacksonville residents and Firehouse Subs guests are invited to join the celebration and see firsthand how their generous contributions have come full circle to provide much needed equipment in their community.
“It’s always an honor to give back to those who work day in and out to keep us safe, and it’s particularly special when it’s a grant awarded in our own backyard,” said Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Senior Manager of Marketing and Communication Jackie Gubbins. “Without our help, these organizations might not have been able to purchase the equipment on their own. It’s incredible to hear stories and know our grant awards are actually saving lives.”
Event attendees include Jacksonville City Councilmembers Danny Becton and Greg Anderson, local firefighters and Hurst Rescue Tool Specialist Tom Winkler, as well as several Firehouse Subs headquarters staff, including Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Senior Manager of Marketing and Communications Jackie Gubbins and Firehouse Subs Area Representative Mike Branson.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Firehouse Subs 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 $31 million to hometown heroes in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, including more than $5.1 million in Florida.
Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors. 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. The Foundation is also the beneficiary of a Charitable Sales Promotion where Firehouse of America (FOA) will donate to the Foundation a sum equivalent to 0.13% of all gross sales with a minimum donation of $1MM through December 31, 2018.
For more information on the Firehouse Subs Foundation, Visit:
