Fire Department Shows Off New Gear Purchased by Sub Shop's Foundation

The Danvers Fire Department showed off more than $10,000 worth of equipment Tuesday that it has bought with a donation from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

The grant was first announced in August, but on Tuesday the local Firehouse Subs representative and the foundation's president met with Fire Chief Kevin Farrell, Town Manager Wayne Marquis and Board of Selectmen Chairman Bill Clark where the equipment was displayed to franchisee and area representative David Tucci and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation executive director Robin Peters.

The grant of $10,700 was the first-ever donation handed out by the foundation in Massachusetts. The Danvers restaurant, across from Liberty Tree Mall on Independence Way, was the first of the chain's locations in Massachusetts. A location has since opened in Back Bay and others are planned in Woburn and southern New Hampshire.

The grant was used to buy 1,075-feet of four-inch hose, one hydrant assistive valve and an automatic monitor nozzle. All of the equipment is on Engine 2, the department's newest engine that is stationed at station 2 in the Hathorne section of Danvers.

"We'll continue to support your business so you'll continue to support us," Farrell said as he was surrounded by about 15 firefighters in the restaurant on Tuesday.

The foundation raises its money in a number of ways, including selling recycled leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets for $2. Donation canisters are also out on register counters collecting spare change and the restaurant uses the "Round Up Program" that allows customers to round up their bill to the nearest dollar with the money going to the foundation.

Firehouse Subs got its name, and the mission of its foundation, from its founders, former firefighters and brothers Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen.

The Foundation was founded in 2005 and has given $5.2 million to first responders in 33 states and Puerto Rico.