The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation recently gave a grant valued at $29,682 to the Valparaiso Fire Department to purchase a Lucas Chest Compression System designed to help improve outcomes of sudden cardiac arrest victims and improve operations for medical responders.
“We’re very grateful to Firehouse Subs for their generous gift. We’ve recently begun using the chest compression system and it’s already helped us to save a couple of lives,” said Valparaiso Fire Chief Chad Dutz. “While we’d like to prevent tragedies, we’re working to make Valparaiso a place where more people survive sudden cardiac arrests,” he said.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was established in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety organizations. Since 2005, the Foundation has contributed more than $18 million to hometown heroes in 45 states and Puerto Rico, including more than $402,547 in Indiana.
Firehouse Subs has more than 900 restaurants throughout the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. Jeff and Robyn Walsworth own both the Valparaiso and Portage locations. Jeff Walsworth was a firefighter for more than 24 years, retiring from the Valparaiso Fire Department in 2015. “I’m so pleased to be able to give back,” Walsworth said at a recent celebration uniting the Valparaiso Fire Department, crewmembers at Firehouse Subs, and Mayor Jon Costas.
Each Firehouse Subs restaurant collects donations for the nonprofit Public Safety Foundation through donation canisters and a Round Up program, where guests may round up their bill to the nearest dollar. For more information about Firehouse Subs and its Public Safety Foundation, visit www.firehousesubs.com.