2024 State of Tennessee Rescue Squad Grant Awarded

  On March 8, 2024, Hawkins County Rescue Squad received notice from the State of Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance Fire Prevention Division that our agency had been awarded a grant in the amount of $25,605.40 as part of the 2024 State of Tennessee Rescue Squad Grant Program. The funds awarded were for the purchase of various types of equipment for our agency. 

Over the past several months, our dedicated members have worked tirelessly working with several different vendors to get the equipment ordered. With the awarded funds our agency purchased the following items: 5 sets of Fire-Dex TECGEN51 Jackets & Pants with Suspenders, 5 Team Wendy SAR Backcountry Helmets with Visors and Reflective Kits, 5 pairs of Fire-Dex Leather Boots, 5 pairs of HexArmor Rescue Gloves, 5 Gear Bags, 4 DUI TLS350 Select Drysuits with Deluxe Accessory Package, 60 Fire Ninja Traffic Safety Vests, and 21 pairs of PMI Heavyweight Rope Rescue Gloves. An additional $1,550.98 was covered by our agency for the following items to go with the items covered by the grant: 5 Fire-Dex Belts, 4 sets of DUI DUOTherm 11 300 Jumpsuits with Socks, 2 80 Cubic Foot Scuba Tanks with accessories, 2 400 Feet Dive Reels, 1 Dive Training Buoy, and lettering for the Fire Ninja Traffic Safety Vests.

Due to supply demands and shortages, our agency did not receive all of the above items until late October. Several of the items have been issued out to our members and have recently been used on many different incidents providing protection and safety for our members. 

Hawkins County Rescue Squad would like to say a special Thank You to Governor Bill Lee and the General Assembly for providing funding and supporting the State Rescue Squad Grant for Rescue Squads like ours across the State of Tennessee to be able to purchase lifesaving equipment! 

Information about the State of Tennessee Rescue Squad Grant: 

The Rescue Squad Grant Program was funded by Governor Lee and the General Assembly in 2022 for the purchase of lifesaving equipment by Tennessee rescue squads. Grant proceeds may be utilized to purchase equipment used by rescue squads for incident response and protect the lives of squad members. The allocation of $2 million represents the first year of the program which will support rescue squads and the communities they protect. Applications received during the submission period will be scored internally and submitted to a seven-member committee who will oversee the award selection. The committee is composed of six members from the Tennessee Rescue Squad Association, and TDCI’s Assistant Commissioner of Fire Prevention.

$39K Grant from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Ensures Hawkins County Rescue Squad is Better Prepared 

Grant is part of more than $86 million given by Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation

to support safety across the U.S.

Rogersville, Tenn. – Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation announced the award of a $39,690 grant to Hawkins County Rescue Squad to ensure first responders have the necessary equipment to keep community members and themselves safe. The grant will be used to purchase a RescueONE GEN3 Connector Boat with Control Console, Diver/Victim Lift, Light Rack, Humminbird Helix Sonar, Motor, Trailer, and Accessories, fulfilling a critical need within the department.

“On behalf of the department and its members, I want to thank the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation and our local Firehouse Subs in Morristown for recognizing our needs and awarding funding to provide this equipment,” said Lieutenant Corey Young.  “Providing first responders with the right tools is crucial for them to successfully do their jobs.”

The new RescueONE GEN3 Connector Boat will be used to respond to water related incidents within the coverage area for Hawkins County Rescue Squad and will be available for mutual aid response within Hawkins County, surrounding counties, and region. This equipped boat will allow members of Hawkins County Rescue Squad to respond quicker to the location of water related incidents and have necessary equipment and tools on board to perform rescue services efficiently and effectively. This piece of equipment expands the capabilities of the services Hawkins County Rescue Squad offers on waterways. Having the appropriate tools on hand makes all the difference in allowing first responders to effectively serve their communities and save lives.

For the past 18 years, 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.

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 $86 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!