Northern Nevada first responders receive $79K from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

Local first responders from around the Carson City region from Central Lyon County to Reno and Sparks areas, will be better equipped to keep community members safe thanks to grants from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

Grant awards totaling more than $79,000 were given recently to ensure the Central Lyon County Fire Protection District, City of Reno Fire Department and Washoe County Sheriff’s Office are better prepared to save lives.

Central Lyon County Fire Protection District has been awarded $21,450 for one set of extrication equipment. The City of Reno Fire Department has been awarded $39,360 for 16 sets of bunker gear and the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $18,633 for an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).

These donations are made possible by the support and generosity of Firehouse Subs restaurants, guests and donors.

All three organizations received the good news just as Firehouse Subs' kicked off First Responder's Month, a fundraising campaign for Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

Throughout October, Firehouse Subs guests can make a virtual medallion donation at their local Firehouse Subs restaurant or online at FirstRespondersMonth.org to help the Foundation help more first responders and public safety organizations save lives.

Funds raised will assist in providing lifesaving equipment and resources to first responders and public safety organizations.

Local Firehouse Subs Franchisee Damon Kreizenbeck said he was thrilled to learn of this year's grants, which began companywide 15 years ago. Fire agencies in Carson City and Lyon County have been grant recipients in the past as well as Central Lyon, Reno and Sparks.

For example, the Firehouse Subs in Carson City's first grant was $46,451 for the Carson City Fire Department that went to the purchase of a new chassis for an ambulance that could go into service. In 2018, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office received more than $16,000 for its canine unit.

"With fundraising being down among restaurants because of COVID, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation ramped up, providing funds to these first responders," said Kreizenbeck, who owns and operates three Firehouse Subs restaurants in Reno, Sparks and Carson City.

He urged Firehouse Sub customers round out October's First Responder Month by making donations, and rounding up their purchases. Not only will their donations go directly to first responding agencies, but customers can accumulate points to receive free food.

Beyond the grants, Firehouse Subs consistently remains a well established food donor to agencies, not only firefighters and law enforcement, but in local schools and at hospitals. This fall the sub shop provided 600 sandwiches to Carson City School District and 400 sandwiches to the Lyon County School District, while hundreds of sandwiches have been given to Carson Tahoe hospital staff. Recently Firehouse Subs made 1,038 sandwiches to give to law enforcement agencies in Carson City, Washoe County and Sparks.

"Our first responders really do take care of us and we feel fortunate and lucky we are able to do this, especially in these times, to take care of them," said Kreizenbeck.

The Firehouse Subs in Carson City is located at 3120 Highway 50 East. In Reno, the sub shop is located at 199 Damonte Ranch Parkway, and in Sparks at 593 E. Prater Way.