The Oktibbeha County District 5 Volunteer Fire Department now has the most advanced extraction equipment available to first responders, following a grant donation by the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
The move awards nearly $25,000 in new equipment to the department, something local fire officials said would further benefit department responses to emergency calls.
"The men and women of District 5 Volunteer Fire Department are grateful to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for their gracious gift," District 5 Firefighter Austin Check said.
The district serves the southeastern section of the county. The awarded equipment will improve department rescue capabilities for vehicle accidents. The new equipment will also prepare the department for increased traffic flows around Mississippi State University, Check said.
"These tools will allow us to manage today's challenges," Check added.
The foundation was created in 2005, and has given more than $168,663 to fire departments across Mississippi, from an overall $18 million total.
Starkville Firehouse Subs franchise owner William Craig said he was honored to help area firefighters.
"We are extremely proud to be able to provide this life-saving extrication equipment to District Five," Craig said. "Our volunteer firefighting forces in the county serve mainly rural areas, and when they receive a call to respond to an accident, time is of the essence. This extrication equipment will allow our county firefighters to do their jobs on the scene of an accident in a quicker and more reliable manner."
For more information on the group, visit firehouse subs.com/foundation.