Fire Fighter Subs

[Jan Dominquez]

Thisnew gear will allow department firefighters to deploy with armed law enforcement officers during ASHER situations; firefighters will not be armed. The protective gear will be worn by firefighter/medics during initial emergency medical response when they are treating and removing patients from warm zones, prior to patients being moved to safer triage and transport areas during active shooter situations. The new gear is valued at approximately $15,373.

The grant has helped with the formation of this new task force, which LFD has supplemented with a contribution of 16 tactical medical equipment bags and extensive training for personnel. The training, which is currently in development, is anticipated for deployment in Fall 2020. The training will focus on proper gear and medical equipment use, as well as medical techniques in and high danger/stress situations. This initiative was born from a national trend of violent active shooter and hostile environment situations.

The Lakeland Fire Department prides itself on being prepared to provide exceptional emergency response services in a variety of circumstances. The grant was applied for in 2019 and awarded in early 2020. The grant was one of 67 Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded to public safety organizations across the country during the most recent grant application period. Photos of the new gear, in use, are attached.

The Lakeland Fire Department (LFD) was established as a career-department in 1916. The Lakeland Fire Department has an Insurance Service Office (ISO) Public Protection Classification 1, the highest achievable rating. The department has seven stations serving approximately 110,000+ people in the City of Lakeland. The department has 179 employees, of which 156 are emergency response personnel. In 2019, the department responded to over 25,900 service calls in its 84 square-mile response area, which includes the city limits as well as portions of unincorporated Lakeland. The department offers a wide range of services which includes heavy rescue, technical rescue, fire prevention, fire code enforcement, fire investigation, aircraft rescue and firefighting, and in-house fleet maintenance; all in addition to outstanding fire suppression and emergency medical response. The Lakeland Fire Department is also passionate about being an active participant in its community and consistently giving back through philanthropic efforts and through non-emergency services like community outreach and preventative public education.

In 2005, the Firehouse Subs Founders established the 501(c)(3), non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The charity provides funding resources, lifesaving equipment, prevention education, training and disaster relief support to first responders and public safety organizations. Since inception, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has granted more than $51 million to hometown heroes in 49 states and Puerto Rico.

For firehouses within 60 miles of a Firehouse Subs location, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation offers quarterly grants under $50,000 (a guideline of $15,000-$20,000 is suggested) for PPE, prevention tools and other educational material. For a list of materials covered and not covered by the grant, visit Frequently Asked Questions and Tips.

The foundation offers a 100% digital application process for firefighters. Law enforcement, EMS, public safety organizations and schools also qualify for these grants. The company also will consider places that are located outside a 60-mile radius of a Firehouse Subs location, though they are not its primary target.

The foundation supports projects in the Midwest and the East Coast, including Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island (where Thayer spent most of her early life). You can request an application form here.

The volunteer fire assistance grant program offers funding for equipment, firefighter training, planning and preparedness activities for stations that respond to wildland fires where populations are under 10,000. All deadlines, requirements and funding amounts vary by state.

Georgia-Pacific is one of the largest tissue, pulp and packaging organizations in the world. Since 2006, the Georgia-Pacific Bucket Brigade has been offering grants to firehouses in over 30 states, specifically any location within 30 miles of a Georgia-Pacific facility. The program also provides educational materials and National Volunteer Fire Council memberships.

As the city of Detroit works through the fallout of bankruptcy and the fire department has been forced to deal with a shortage of funds and supplies, the camaraderie between the firefighters has remained the same. But the promises of the past have changed.

The department has altered the demands on firefighters and reworked the promotion system so that seniority is no longer a golden ticket to moving up. And the guarantees for pensions and financial security, especially for younger firefighters, have gone up in smoke. Urbas says he blames the city for mismanaging things.

Rather than be bitter about it, Urbas has created his own opportunities in the restaurant business. And he's done so while giving back to his fire department family. With a wife and young daughter to care for, and a ticking clock for himself in a physically demanding job, he turned to another passion: food.

His wife Kristin read about the Firehouse Subs concept online and Urbas said he liked the idea that it was founded by two firefighting brothers who believed in giving back to public safety departments. At the time, the closest franchise was 100 miles away in Ohio.

A year and a half after opening the sub shop, which sells firefighting-themed hot and cold subs priced under $10, Urbas has become a popular figure in Rochester and has earned accolades for the philanthropic work he has been able to do through the restaurant.

He recently won Huntington National Bank's 2015 "Best in Business" award. And through donation programs at the restaurant, he's been able to give nearly $28,000 to public safety departments in less than two years.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation raises money through the 850 restaurants across the country to provide grants and give back to emergency responders in nearby communities. In 2014, Urbas' location ranked 18th in most franchise donations: nearly $17,000. Urbas says his sales are average, so it's a testament to the giving nature of his customers and his ability to sell his story, says the foundation's executive director Robin Peters.

"When you are asking people to donate, even five or ten cents, you have to make them feel it in their heart," said Peters. "He's so passionate about it, it's just become a part of his normal operation."

In the 10 years since it was founded, the Firehouse Subs Foundation has given $12 million to public safety departments. As a newer market for the company, Michigan departments have received $180,000 of that.

Last June, they received a $30,000 grant to use toward buying new air canisters for breathing apparatuses. The department's existing canisters, essential for safely fighting fires, were getting old, so the grant made a big impact, said Deputy Commissioner Craig Dougherty. He said the funds were another piece of the puzzle as the department tries to provide firefighters with the supplies they need.

His brothers Brian, 41, and Mike, 40, who serve with Ladder 23, followed him into the fire department and also give back. They've dressed up as clowns for children's events and the Thanksgiving Day parade. They also helped organize a benefit for firefighter Brendan Milewski, a close friend who was left paralyzed after an August 2010 building collapse.

For someone who has always been trained that one mistake can mean the difference between life and death, Urbas has had to rewire his brain a little to work in the restaurant industry. But he won't stop being a perfectionist. "I take pride in every sandwich," he said. "I want every customer experience to be perfect."

Urbas does his 24-hour shifts at the firehouse and goes directly from downtown to the restaurant where he works a day shift. He's also taking classes toward EMT certification. He tries to make sure he can spend Sundays with his wife and 8-year-old daughter Riley.

He's even honored his daughter at his restaurant. The shop is covered with photos from throughout Urbas's career as a firefighter and some of his old gear. He has a mural on one wall, which depicts firefighters from the Rochester Hills Fire Department and the Detroit Fire Department battling a blaze at an iconic historical building. In the front, a firefighter leans down to pet a black cat being held by a little girl in a yellow dress.

"If I could go back in time, I would not change the fact that I joined the Detroit Fire Department. It's something I love and it's in my blood," said Urbas. "At least with the business, some politician or some judge can't come in and cut my wages. It is all up to me to make this work."

Being prepared and equipped with essential wildfire gear, including fire-resistant clothing, personal protective equipment, hand tools, and necessary nutrition, ensures wildland firefighters are safe and effective on the fireline.

Skid units are a valuable tool for both wildland firefighters and homeowners. From top and end-mount units to hybrid and ATV units, these self-contained firefighting systems provide the rapid response needed to combat wildfires, even in challenging terrain and remote conditions.

The mission of the Orlando Fire Department is to protect the lives and property of Orlando Citizens. We are proud to lead the only fire department in the state to have ISO 1 classification, International Fire Accreditation, Emergency Management Accreditation Program certification and ACE accreditation.

Do you need a copy of an Orlando Fire Department Record? The Orlando Fire Department processes requests for public records such as incident reports, fire investigation reports, commercial property reports and fire inspection reports.

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