Firehouse to the rescue - with grant
Courtesy photo In less than a year, Kyle and Jared Staples, brothers and co-owners of Firehouse Subs in Coeur d’Alene, have raised more than $40,000 for local first responders through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
Northern Lakes Fire District recently received a grand award of $18,811.47 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
With the grant money, Northern Lakes has purchased a portable rescue/extrication tool set. The battery-operated tools allow first responders to access patients and provide life-saving care to the critically injured without waiting for additional resources to arrive on-scene. This is especially important in off-road locations that can be difficult to access.
Firehouse Subs has been open at its Coeur d’Alene location for less than a year. In that time, they’ve raised more than $40,000 for local first responders, including Northern Lakes Fire District and Pend Oreille Paramedics.
“It’s awesome,” said Jared Staples, who co-owns the Coeur d’Alene location with his brother, Kyle. “North Idaho is pretty generous. The support that’s been poured through our restaurant has been remarkable.”
Founded 20 years ago by a pair of firefighter brothers, Firehouse Subs is a fast casual restaurant chain. The business is also committed to saving lives through its nonprofit, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which provides funding, equipment and education opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations.
A portion of purchases at Firehouse Subs locations goes to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. In addition, Staples said, customers have the option to round up their total to the nearest dollar, with the extra money going to the foundation, or to donate directly.
“The Northern Lakes Fire District and the communities it serves thank Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for their support of local first responders and the generous contribution to enable us to better protect those we serve,” Northern Lakes Fire District said in a news release.
Staples said he and his brother grew up in Coeur d’Alene and are raising families here, so the donation feels personal.
“We love Coeur d’Alene,” he said. “We’re thrilled to be able to provide life-saving equipment to the community right here around us.”
With the community’s support, Staples said he hopes to continue raising money for local first responders.
“This is just the beginning,” he said.