Extrication Equipment Presented To Polk County By Firehouse Subs

POLK COUNTY, FL — Polk County Fire Rescue unveiled its newest extrication equipment, made possible thanks to a $36,665 grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

Proceeds from purchases made at U.S. Firehouse Subs restaurants provided the funding for this grant award.

The tools will assist first responders by dramatically reducing the time it takes them to safely and efficiently extricate victims involved in car accidents above ground and underwater. The equipment will also give the department the capability to respond to complex incidents involving heavy trucks, as well as cutting ultra-hardened steels found in newer vehicles.

To celebrate the receipt of the awarded equipment, Polk County Deputy County Manager of Public Safety Joe Halman and Polk County Fire Rescue Fire Chief Hezedean Smith joined Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation staff and local Firehouse Subs Bartow operator Ricky Sahgal in acknowledging the grant award and demonstrating the new equipment during an in-person event.

To date, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has granted more than $10.8 million to first responder organizations across Florida and $1.6 million in Tampa Bay.