By NICOLE LOGGINS / Staff Writer 

Firehouse Subs donated $17,000 to the Cahaba Valley Fire and Emergency Medical Rescue on Jan. 6 allowing the department to purchase new rescue equipment to better serve Shelby County citizens.

This is the second general grant from Firehouse Subs that CVFD has received, the first grant was four years ago. 

“Through fundraising, they raise money and utilize it for public safety,” said Commander and Public Information Officer Grant Wilkinson.

Wilkinson said that the department got some much needed equipment and some accessories for equipment that they purchased using the first grant. 

“We got a K-12 saw. Which is a large circular saw used to cut concrete, steel or metal,” he said.

Wilkinson  said that A K-12 saw is used to cut through burglar bars to rescue a victim. 

“We got a ventilation saw used to ventilate a house, technical rescue equipment to lower rescuers down into holes if necessary and various accessories,” Wilkinson said. “We also got a stokes basket used on rescues that are at a high angle or any situation where a victim need to be carried out at a steep angle.” 

David Konklin is the franchisee that CVFD worked with to receive the grant. Konklin owns and operates the Firehouse Subs at Brook Highland and Cahaba River Road.