Excerpts from FirehouseSubs.com:

In 2005, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety FoundationFirehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was created with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to emergency personnel and public safety organizations. Many make do with older equipment and have limited or no access to needed resources, but the Foundation has given $13 million to hometown heroes in 43 states and Puerto Rico, benefiting more than 1,000 public safety organizations in communities across the nation. In the state of Illinois, more than $417,000 has been donated since 2012, and in almost all instances, the awarded tools would otherwise be unavailable.

Continuing its mission of supporting local heroes, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation [awarded] $190,000 worth of equipment to nine Chicago public safety organizations during a press conference on May 19, 2015 … at the Robert J. Quinn Fire Academy.

The following nine departments were awarded equipment.

•             Chicago Fire Department received two off-road ambulance vehicles worth more than $55,800.

•             Chicago Police Department 17th District received two automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) worth more than $2,000.

•             Chicago Police Memorial Foundation received 41 bulletproof vests worth more than $20,000.

•             Mokena Fire Protection District received an all-terrain vehicle worth more than $16,700.

•             Waukegan Fire Protection District received eight sets of firefighting turnout gear worth more than $19,600.

•             Lemont Fire Protection District received an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) worth more than $19,800.

•             Frankfort Fire Protection District received an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) worth more than $14,600.

•             Tri-State Fire Protection District received a water rescue boat worth more than $19,900.

•             Mount Prospect Fire Department received 27 automatic external defibrillator (AEDs) worth more than $21,000.

To raise money for the Foundation, Firehouse Subs restaurants participate in a number of fundraising efforts. Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets and sells them to guests for $2. Donation canisters on register counters collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors.

thanks Jay