GREENFIELD — Several grateful law enforcement officers and other first-responders from around the state stopped by the local Firehouse Subs restaurant Tuesday afternoon to celebrate more than $60,000 in grants from its foundation.
The national Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded $64,456 to a handful of Indiana agencies. The presentation gave them a chance to showcase the lifesaving equipment they were able to purchase thanks to the grants.
Officials from the Greenfield Police Department were one of the departments on hand to show their appreciation. They were awarded nearly $4,000 earlier this year to purchase several life-saving automatic external defibrillators so all of their squad cars and patrol officers would be equipped.
“Little things like this often end up being bigger things than you can imagine because they end up saving a life,” GPD Chief Jeff Rasche said.
The cost of the AEDs was around $1,200 each, and that money is hard to come up with on a tight budget, the chief said. It’s why, when Deputy Chief Matt Holland applied for the grant funding and got it, the department was thrilled.
Holland told the group there are a reported 300,000 sudden cardiac arrests in the nation each year with only a 5 percent survival rate.
“It just shows how important it is to have an AED in every car driving around town, because minutes are precious when there is a cardiac arrest,” Holland said.
AEDs might not be used frequently, but they are vital when they are needed, GPD officials said.
Mayor Chuck Fewell was also on hand and told the first-responders he likes knowing that they have the best equipment, thanks in part to funding from organizations like the Firehouse Subs Foundation.
Officials from the Parker Volunteer Fire Department and the Parker City Police Department in Randolph County; and the Mill Township Volunteer Fire Department in Grant County also attended the gathering to show their appreciation.
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation executive director Robin Peters told the first-responders the organization was pleased to be able to help them do their jobs better.
“Giving back to our first-responders is the primary goal of the foundation,” Peters said.
Since the organization started the program in 2005, it has been able to raise and donate more than $42 million in 49 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, including more than $982,000 in Indiana.
In-restaurant fundraising aids the foundation’s efforts. “Thanks to the generosity of so many people, we’re able to make a difference,” Peters said.
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Here’s a breakdown of equipment provided through grants from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation:
Greenfield Police Department received three automated external defibrillators (AEDs), which will be placed in police patrol cars to ensure the department is prepared to provide medical assistance if an individual goes into cardiac arrest. Currently, the department’s road division is comprised of 28 cruisers, 25 of which have already been issued AEDs.
Mill Township Volunteer Fire Department in Grant County received six sets of bunker gear to replace the outdated gear currently in use. The new gear will better protect firefighters as they provide safe and efficient services to their community.
Parker Volunteer Fire Department in Randolph received 24 portable radios, four mobile radios and accessories to improve communication between Randolph County dispatchers and the department. Parker City Police Department also received 12 portable radios and accessories.
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