New Sewickley Police Chief Ron Leindecker and Economy Fire Chief Jake Thomas saw both of their departments gain new equipment through Firehouse Subs.
The Economy Volunteer Fire Department and New Sewickley Police Department were among five area public safety departments recognized in a joint ceremony Tuesday after receiving grants to purchase life-saving equipment.
The ceremony took place outside the Firehouse Subs restaurant in Cranberry, which donated a total of $78,200 worth of live-saving tools to area departments through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
Economy Fire Department received a Polaris ATV and rope rescue equipment--worth more than $19,600--that were on display at the event. In nearby New Sewickley, the police department received seven automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, with accessories.
Economy Fire Chief Jake Thomas said their equipment will help the township’s quad rescue crew capabilities in off-road incidents and patient rescues. The crew belongs to the Beaver County quad rescue team, and responds to calls in Butler and Allegheny counties as well.
Economy has about 17 quads in the department and 24 people certified to do search and rescue, he said.
“On behalf of the Economy Fire Department, I want to thank the Fire House Subs Foundation,” Thomas said.
He also applauded Economy Fire Capt. Steven Joy for applying for the grant, adding that the equipment fits in nicely with the unit.
“We really appreciate it,” Thomas said. “It will be used quite well in the woods for the search and rescue team.”
In fact, firefighters said the donated vehicle has already been used for a brush fire and two rescue calls.
Economy firefighter David Kowalsky said the vehicle allows EMS to immediately begin working on a patient while riding on the back.
Firefighter Ryan Pearce described the new vehicle as “very versatile.”
“It’ll help us do a lot of different things,” Pearce said.
For New Sewickley, the donated AED devices, worth more than $8,700, could provide life-saving assistance if someone goes into cardiac arrest.
New Sewickley Police Chief Ron Leindecker said the AEDs have been placed in concession stands at the soccer, baseball and softball fields as well as with the road department, at the municipal building and in each patrol car. The devices replace two outdated AEDs that were about 20 years old, he said.
Firehouse Subs restaurant co-founders created the foundation in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and assisted with relief efforts, feeding first responders and survivors of the natural disaster.
Since then, Jackie Gubbins, programs manager of the Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation, said just over 720 departments in communities served by Fire House Subs have been awarded a total of $9 million.
More than $155,200 has been given in Pennsylvania, with 60 percent of funds raised through the restaurant’s crews.
Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets and sells them to guests for $2. Donation canisters on register counters also collect spare change for the non-profit’s mission, and the chain’s “Round Up Program” allows guests to round their bill to the nearest dollar with all funds going to the foundation, she said.
In addition to Cranberry, Matt Liggett, franchisee and area representative, said Firehouse Subs has North Fayette restaurant and is looking to expand in the South Hills to grow the Pittsburgh market.
Other awardees include:
Economy Fire Department received a Polaris ATV and rope rescue equipment--worth more than $19,600--that were on display at the event. In nearby New Sewickley, the police department received seven automated external defibrillators, or AEDs, with accessories.
Economy Fire Chief Jake Thomas said their equipment will help the township’s quad rescue crew capabilities in off-road incidents and patient rescues. The crew belongs to the Beaver County quad rescue team, and responds to calls in Butler and Allegheny counties as well.
Economy has about 17 quads in the department and 24 people certified to do search and rescue, he said.
“On behalf of the Economy Fire Department, I want to thank the Fire House Subs Foundation,” Thomas said.
He also applauded Economy Fire Capt. Steven Joy for applying for the grant, adding that the equipment fits in nicely with the unit.
“We really appreciate it,” Thomas said. “It will be used quite well in the woods for the search and rescue team.”
In fact, firefighters said the donated vehicle has already been used for a brush fire and two rescue calls.
Economy firefighter David Kowalsky said the vehicle allows EMS to immediately begin working on a patient while riding on the back.
Firefighter Ryan Pearce described the new vehicle as “very versatile.”
“It’ll help us do a lot of different things,” Pearce said.
For New Sewickley, the donated AED devices, worth more than $8,700, could provide life-saving assistance if someone goes into cardiac arrest.
New Sewickley Police Chief Ron Leindecker said the AEDs have been placed in concession stands at the soccer, baseball and softball fields as well as with the road department, at the municipal building and in each patrol car. The devices replace two outdated AEDs that were about 20 years old, he said.
Firehouse Subs restaurant co-founders created the foundation in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and assisted with relief efforts, feeding first responders and survivors of the natural disaster.
Since then, Jackie Gubbins, programs manager of the Firehouse Subs Safety Foundation, said just over 720 departments in communities served by Fire House Subs have been awarded a total of $9 million.
More than $155,200 has been given in Pennsylvania, with 60 percent of funds raised through the restaurant’s crews.
Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets and sells them to guests for $2. Donation canisters on register counters also collect spare change for the non-profit’s mission, and the chain’s “Round Up Program” allows guests to round their bill to the nearest dollar with all funds going to the foundation, she said.
In addition to Cranberry, Matt Liggett, franchisee and area representative, said Firehouse Subs has North Fayette restaurant and is looking to expand in the South Hills to grow the Pittsburgh market.
Other awardees include:
- Cranberry Township Medical Services, which received CPR mannequins and a STAT medical mannequin with accessories worth more than $12,800
- North Fayette Township Volunteer Fire Department, which received rescue air bags, worth more than $18,900. The donated equipment will increase the department’s safety, replacing four old air bags on their rescue truck and adding five new rescue air bags to their rescue fire engine.
- Forest Grove Volunteer Fire Department in Robinson, which received a rapid deployment craft and towing hardware worth more than $18,200. The donated boat will assist with demanding water-related rescue situations.
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