FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 25, 2016
Contact: Jason Bostic – FFII/PIO/CFSI
Tel: (740) 627-1664
jbostic@fredericktownfire.net
Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Awards FCFD with over $15k in funding
The Fredericktown Community Fire District was recently awarded $15,380 in grant funding from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation grant was for the purchase of a forcible entry simulator which was “turn-key” and came with numerous stations, training options, scenarios, hand tools, and a healthy supply of replacement parts.
“We are very fortunate to have been awarded the generous grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to purchase the simulator. We will be able to utilize this in a number of ways. It will allow practice gaining access to structures while doing so with a variety of different door configurations and construction,” said FCFD Chief Scott Mast. “It will allow us to property identify doors and methods effectively and in a timely manner so that we can quickly enter and mitigate the situation.”
Although the Foundation is national, and there are no Firehouse Subs locations in Knox County, the Columbus franchises are operated by Fredericktown graduate, Joe and John Dumbaugh.
“This grant is very personal for us, our district is very grateful for the efforts of the Dumbaugh family and their assistance in seeing this grant through for the FCFD. The grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is highly competitive, for a foundation like this to step up and see the value of our project makes us proud,” said FCFD Public Information Officer Jason Bostic.
A forcible entry simulator allows firefighters the practice of “forcing”, or gaining entry through a variety of different residential and commercial doors, locks, hinges, fortified doors, window bars and other security measures. The tactics used vary using hand tools; gas powered tools, and sometimes multiple firefighters to complete the scenario. The training is something that firefighters prior to this grant, often did not experience except in their initial fire school certification, or on the fire scene when the skills are needed most.
“It is an honor to be selected by an organization such as this, and for such a generous amount. This will have benefits not only for our fire district, but others are more than welcome to come train to better themselves,” said Chief Mast.
Prior to the purchase of this simulator with grant funding, if firefighters wanted to train in this manner, it would require going to an out of area department or school for the experience. Often, after graduating the academy, many smaller departments only see the opportunity to work forcible entry on the fire ground and when they need it most.
The Fredericktown Community Fire District operates from two stations within the 115 square mile district in northwest Knox County. Fire and rescue services are provided by a team of 25 volunteer firefighters with varying levels of experience from the basic 36-hour to the 240-hour professional firefighter certification.
ABOUT FIREHOUSE SUBS PUBLIC SAFETY FOUNDATION
In 2005, the Firehouse Subs founders established the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety organizations. Through the non-profit 501(c)(3), Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has given more than $23 million to hometown heroes in 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, including more than $1 million in Ohio.
