ABILENE, Texas – The Abilene Fire Department received a grant for a new rescue boat and water-rescue equipment from Firehouse Subs as part of the restaurant’s 1,500th grand opening.
Deputy Fire Chief Michael Burden said the department is ready to add the new tools to its water-rescue program.
“This asset is going to be huge for our department moving forward,” Burden said. “Over the last five years, we’ve really built this program back up to where it is today with additional training, additional equipment, making sure that we have a full team ready to go.”
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The trailer for the Abilene Fire Department’s water rescue boats. (KTXS/Russell Taber)
AFD currently has what it calls a Zodiac boat, which is mainly built for swift and shallow water.
“It’s not quite made for us to do underwater recovery or rescue,” Burden said.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded the Abilene Fire Department a grant to purchase a custom-made, aluminum-hull, center-mount boat.
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Chad Fulkerson speaking at the grant ceremony. (KTXS/Russell Taber)
Burden said the boat will be able to operate in deeper water and perform lifesaving measures.
Firehouse Subs franchisee Chad Fulkerson said the donation is a way to give back to the community and support first responders.
“It’s tight-knit as the community is, especially Firehouse Subs, as tight-knit as we are with our first responders, helping our first responders, take care of our heroes,” Fulkerson said.
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The grand opening of the 1,500 Firehouse Subs restaurant. (KTXS/Russell Taber)
Burden said the equipment will also help communities beyond Abilene.
“We will go outside to the additional part of the Big Country, the additional 19 counties, and if they need assistance, we will respond out there with whatever equipment we have available,” Burden said. “We will continue to grow. And I mean growing; I mean training, adding additional personnel, things along those lines.”
Burden said the boat is expected to be ready by January.
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