Firehouse Subs awards an Altair 4 Multi Gas Detector to the West Columbia Fire Department. Pictured are (l–r) Tom Carson; Wyatt Coleman, West Columbia Fire Department fire chief; Judy Divita, West Columbia Firehouse Subs franchisee; Charles Divita, West Columbia Firehouse Subs franchisee; Robbie Holloway, West Columbia Firehouse Subs manager; West Columbia Mayor Bobby Horton; Jenny Cunningham, city administrator; Tommy Parler, city councilman; Jay Ellison, USC–Columbia Firehouse Subs franchisee and manager; Wayne Wavford; Mardi Valentino, West Columbia city clerk; Dean Whetstone, West Columbia firefighter; and Kellen West, West Columbia firefighter. Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded equipment to the West Columbia Fire Department at a dedication event August 25 at the West Columbia Firehouse Subs. The department’s new Altair 4 Multi Gas Detector, worth $1,958, allows firefighters to check for Carbon Monoxide in homes and businesses. The donation will replace a 10– year–old unit.

Firehouse Subs founders’ 200–year firefighting heritage inspired the formation of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which provides funding and support to public safety entities.

“One of the reasons I was so drawn to the Firehouse Subs concept was the idea that they give back to the local community so generously,” said Charlie Divita, franchisee of the West Columbia Firehouse Subs location. “We have been working on collecting spare change at the register and selling pickles buckets to raise the money and are fired up to help the West Columbia Fire Department.”

Each restaurant recycles leftover five–gallon pickle buckets and allows customers to purchase them for $2. All proceeds go directly back to the foundation.

The presentation took place at Firehouse Subs located at 2805–B Sunset Blvd in West Columbia. Attendees to the event included local firefighters and their families, as well as area representative Billy Mitchell, franchisee Charlie Divita, and Robin Peters, executive director of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

In 2005, Firehouse Subs created the non–profit, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation with the mission to provide funding, live–saving equipment, and educational opportunities to aid first–responders. Through the nonprofit 501 (c) (3), Firehouse Subs has given more than $2.2 million to hometown heroes, including fire and police departments and EMT organizations.