A number of members of Louisville Fire Dept. and City of Louisville officials traveled to Firehouse Subs, in Starkville, Tuesday morning, June 18, to dedicate the Department’s new Hurst Jaws-of-Life equipment which was purchased with a grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The equipment cost in excess of $31K, and there were no matching funds required.
Firehouse Subs was founded in 1994 by two brothers, Chris & Robin Sorenson, both former firefighters, whose father was also a firefighter. The company now has more than eleven-hundred franchises nationwide.
The Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 after the brothers returned from the Gulf Coast where they spent time supporting emergency responders and victims of Hurricane Katrina, and discussions began about how they could better support the emergency personnel communities.
Since that time, the Foundation has granted more than $44M in funds to fire departments and law enforcement agencies across the country, and over $100K in the Winston, Oktibbeha, Lowndes & Clay Counties area.
Firehouse Subs Area Representative, Jim Maxwell stated, “We all feel very strongly about supporting the local first responders.” He added that the Public Safety Foundation is truly the heart of Firehouse Subs.
Louisville Fire Dept. Deputy Chief, Robert Hutto, pointed out that the new equipment offers several benefits. First, it is battery operated and does not require another power source or hydraulic hoses; the batteries, for spreader, cutter, and ram, are all interchangeable, rechargeable and will last for several hours. He added that often rescue scenes are not easily accessible, so the new equipment is a welcome addition to the Department.
Hutto added that purchasing the equipment with the grant frees up funds in the Department’s budget for other needs.
LFD Chief Johnny Haynes stated that he is very appreciative of the grant and Firehouse Subs, and if there is ever an opportunity for Louisville Fire Dept. to assist the company, they will be more than happy to do so.
