Restaurant foundation donates equipment to Granite fire department

GRANITE CITY – Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is celebrating the donation of equipment to Granite City Fire Department.

Local firefighters, Firehouse Subs franchisee Scott Stoner, area representative Mike Domico and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation development manager Meghan Vargas participated in a recent ceremony in which the foundation donated $20,500 worth of materials to the department.

The ceremony took place at the restaurant at 3214 Nameoki Road.

Granite City Fire Department received three gas detectors, a gas instrument test system, a gas detector bump station and an air system cart with two masks. The donated equipment will allow the department to detect potentially toxic materials or deadly gases quickly and efficiently at the scene of an emergency, ensuring the atmosphere is safe to breathe.

In 2005, Firehouse Subs created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety organizations. Through the non-profit 501(c)(3), Firehouse Subs has given $9 million to departments in 40 states and Puerto Rico, including more than $163,000 in Illinois.

Each restaurant recycles leftover, 5-gallon pickle buckets and sells them to guests for $2. Donation canisters on register counters explain the non-profit’s mission and collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. All funds raised benefit the Foundation.

Firehouse Subs is a fast casual restaurant chain, founded by former firefighters and brothers Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen.