SARASOTA COUNTY - Sarasota County Fire Department recently received a $39,982 grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation® to ensure our first responders have the necessary equipment to keep community members and themselves safe. The grant was used to purchase a Polaris Ranger Crew 1000 utility task vehicle (UTV) with emergency lighting, patient transport equipment, winch and other accessories; allowing SCFD to respond quickly and efficiently to medical and other emergencies on Sarasota County beaches.

“We are grateful to the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs in Sarasota for awarding us this grant,” said Sarasota County Fire Department Chief David Rathbun. “The new equipment will fulfill a critical need within our department and allow our first responders to better help the residents and visitors of Sarasota County during emergency situations on our beaches.”

With over 35 miles of beaches in Sarasota County, SCFD personnel respond daily to emergencies along the coast. The UTV provides quick and effective response to areas that an ambulance or fire engine cannot access. This new UTV is an addition to the department’s fleet and is housed at Station 3 responding to incidents on Lido Beach.

Emergency medical equipment kept on board allows the personnel access to supplies immediately on scene.

The patient transport equipment added to the UTV allows personnel to quickly bring patients off the beach to an ambulance where they can be taken to the hospital or receive additional care.

SCFD currently utilizes a UTV at Station 13, on Siesta Key. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Station 13 UTV was dispatched to 134 calls on Siesta Beach.

For the past 18 years, charitable donations have been the driving force behind Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation® supporting first responders and public safety organizations nationwide. To learn more about Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation or donate directly, visit FirehouseSubsFoundation.org.

For more information on Sarasota County Fire Department, visit scgov.net/fire or dial 311.

--------------

About Sarasota County Fire Department: Sarasota County Fire Department is an internationally accredited, all-hazards response department that protects life and property through fire prevention, fire suppression, emergency medical services and special operations response serving unincorporated Sarasota County and the City of Sarasota. 

About Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation - In 2005, the Firehouse Subs founders established the 501(c)(3), non-profit Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. The charity provides lifesaving equipment, prevention education, scholarships and continued education, and disaster relief for first responders and public safety organizations, as well as support for military veterans. Since inception, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has awarded more than $83 million to hometown heroes in all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Support for Canadian first responders is provided through the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is honored to be listed as a four-star nonprofit organization, the highest designation, by Charity Navigator. Charity Navigator is the nation’s largest and most-utilized evaluator of charities. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors. More than 70% of the funds raised for the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation come from the generosity of Firehouse Subs guests and the restaurant brand. Please consider supporting a Firehouse Subs restaurant near you!