Sandwich chain supplies Arizona first responders with $233K in gear

PHOENIX – Several cities in Arizona will be able to equip their first responders with new helmets, body armor, rescue and safety gear after receiving grants from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

In the Valley, the sandwich chain awarded $233,987 in grants to fire departments in Carefree, Glendale, Guadalupe, Scottsdale and Maricopa, and police in Apache Junction and Buckeye.

Arizona Public Service, which has partnered with the foundation fora few years, donated $50,000 to police and fire departments in Eagar and Sedona.

“There’s really nothing more important than helping them do their job and do their job safely,” APS spokesman Damon Gross told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

“We work very closely with Firehouse Subs and we rely on them to help identify the need. We just make sure we’re budgeting for that every year,” he said.

Scottsdale Fire received an all-terrain vehicle with a patient transport kit valued at nearly $30,000, according to a press release.

Glendale’s firefighters were able to replace outdated communication devices and software with $15,730.

Guadalupe firefighters received two thermal-imaging cameras worth $19,455 that will help them see hot spots in buildings and flag body heat before they go on a search.

Since 2005, the foundation has awarded more than $1.4 million to Arizona’s first responders.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ali Vetnar contributed to this report.

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