Firehouse Subs Donates Equipment to Williamsburg Department

By Amber Lester Kennedy Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Firehouse Subs is living up to its name by donating more than $10,000 worth of equipment to the Williamsburg Fire Department.

The sub restaurant is donating Paratech’s Highway Vehicle Stabilization kit, valued at $10,419. The kit will enhance the department’s rescue efforts when removing victims from vehicles, stabilizing buildings and rescuing victims from confined spaces. Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation will award the equipment in a ceremony at 3:30 on Wednesday at the Firehouse Subs location in High Street.

Firehouse Subs was founded in 1995 by brothers Robin and Chris Sorensen, who chose the firehouse theme as a tribute to their father, a retired Combat Captain. Firehouse Subs has more than 400 restaurants in 21 states, and has devoted itself to supporting the fire stations of each community. At the Williamsburg location, the walls are decorated with a mural and photographs of the Williamsburg Fire Department at work.

In 2005, the company created a separate nonprofit, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which awards equipment and grants to public safety entities. Since then, the foundation has donated more than $44,000 in Virginia.

“Our local heroes need to be prepared at a moment’s notice to protect and save lives,” said franchisee William Tilley in a press release. “Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, with the support of our restaurants, is dedicated to equip, educate and fund first responders.”

The company gathers donations through canisters on register counters in the restaurants and sales of leftover five-gallon pickle buckets for $2 each. In total, the nonprofit has given more than $2 million to public safety workers across the country since its founding.