FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT:
Magi Aguilar
maguilar@oakharbor.org
360-279-4501
OAK HARBOR FIRE DEPARTMENT AWARDED GRANT FROM FIREHOUSE SUBS PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION® FOR CRITICAL LIFESAVING EQUIPMENT
Grant is part of more than $96 million given by Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to support safety across the U.S.
OAK HARBOR, WA May 28, 2025 As first responders continue to serve Oak Harbor, it’s important that Oak Harbor Fire Department remains properly equipped to handle all emergencies. Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation® recognized the need for new lifesaving equipment and recently awarded a $23,046 grant to purchase a highway stabilization kit.
The new highway stabilization kit replaces expired equipment and will save lives. The Oak Harbor Fire Department is often first to the scene of an accident, not only in Oak Harbor, but across Whidbey Island. It will prevent injury to rescue personnel. Having the proper equipment to safely prevent sudden movements of vehicles provides a level of safety for firefighters and first responders to extricate victims from the vehicle. It will help ensure an orderly accident scene with dedicated resources for life safety, incident stabilization and property conservation. In the case of serious or fatal accidents, an extended investigation often takes place. Having the proper equipment to keep a vehicle stable while the investigation is underway is critical to determining the cause of an accident. The benefit to the department is increased safety for its personnel and decreased potential liability to the City. Using equipment that is expired is not acceptable for either safety or liability reasons. Having new equipment provides not only a better level of safety, but a better response and ideally a better outcome for the people who the department serves.
“We are grateful to the Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs® in Mount Vernon for providing us with this invaluable funding,” said Fire Chief Travis Anderson. “The added benefit of having the very best equipment on hand means everything in an emergency when every second counts.” The community will have a chance to see the equipment at a summer open house later this year. For the past 19 years, charitable donations have been the driving force behind Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation supporting first responders and public safety organizations nationwide. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded 6,841 grants valued at over $96 million to public safety organizations since 2005. This grant is one of 87 the Foundation awarded during the most recent grant cycle. The 87 grants will provide critical lifesaving equipment valued at more than $2.1 million across the U.S.
To donate and learn more, visit any Firehouse Subs restaurant or the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation website at FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.
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About Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®
In 2005, the Firehouse Subs® founders established the 501(c)(3), non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation®. The charity provides lifesaving equipment, prevention education, scholarships and continued education, and disaster relief for first responders and public safety organizations, as well as support for military veterans. Since inception, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded more than $96 million to hometown heroes in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Support for Canadian first responders is provided through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada®.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is honored to be listed as a four-star nonprofit organization, the highest designation, by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors. More than 70% of the funds raised for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation come from the generosity of Firehouse Subs guests and the restaurant brand. Please consider supporting a Firehouse Subs restaurant near you!