When it comes to finances, the Falcon Fire Protection District is not much different than the businesses or citizens it serves. Each has a budget that must be followed. The fire district has a certain amount of money for operations, and the fire chief and board of directors must decide how to best utilize those taxpayer dollars. Without a bottomless well of revenue, district personnel look for grants to provide additional funding for equipment not included in the districtís annual budget.Wildland firefighting boots are not part of the personal protective equipment the district issues to its firefighters, so personnel must either dip into their uniform allowances or pay for them out of pocket. At a cost of more than $200 per pair, footwear compliant with National Fire Protection Association standards is not an insignificant expense, especially for reserve (volunteer) firefighters who receive only a modest stipend.Earlier this year, FFPD firefighter Amy Webb learned about the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which provides grants to first responders. She brought the information to Lt. Corey Kirt, who submitted a grant request to purchase NFPA-compliant wildland firefighting boots to improve firefighter safety during wildland operations. FFPD responded to more than 20 wildfires between Jan. 1, 2015, and July 31, 2016. The Insurance Information Institute lists Colorado as the third most wildfire-prone state. In July, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded FFPD a $10,998 grant to purchase 47 pairs of boots. On Aug. 3, the Firehouse Subs restaurant at 5915 Dublin Blvd. (just east of Powers Blvd.) hosted a grant award event attended by FFPD personnel, Firehouse Subs and Foundation representatives and local media.The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was founded in 2005 after Firehouse Subs co-founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen traveled to Mississippi to feed Hurricane Katrina survivors and first responders. They created the foundation with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment and educational opportunities to first responders and public safety organizations that often have limited or no access to needed resources. The organization has granted more than $20 million to almost 1,500 first-response organizations in more than 46 states, Puerto Rico and Canada, according to its website (http://FirehouseSubs.com/Foundation). Funding for the grants comes from recycling empty 5-gallon pickle buckets and selling them to guests for $2 each; allowing guests to ìround upî their bill to the nearest dollar and donate the difference; spare-change donation canisters; and other fundraising efforts.The Falcon Fire Protection District would like to thank Firehouse Subs and the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for their generous grant and their continued support of first responders everywhere.9/11 Memorial Stair ClimbThis year marks the 15th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon and the downing of United Flight 93 near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. As they have in previous years, Falcon firefighters will participate in a memorial stair climb honoring the 343 firefighters lost in the collapse of the Twin Towers in New York City.The Colorado 9/11 Stair Climb will take place Sept. 11 at Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Morrison, Colorado. It is designed to simulate the 110 stories of the World Trade Center. This climb is open to the public and requires a fee, with proceeds benefitting 9/11 related charities. Go to http://911stairclimb.com for more information or to register.
