By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
NILES, MI – Niles city firefighters recently received good news as they learned they are getting more than $32,000 from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation to buy new river rescue equipment.
The owners of two Michiana Firehouse Subs restaurants attended a recent fire department river rescue training session at Losensky Park on the Dowagiac River to present a check to the Niles Fire Department and to provide some refreshments from their restaurants.
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation administers the grant program which is open to first responders and public safety organizations across the United States. Grants have been awarded for a number of projects including acquiring lifesaving equipment. Grant funding comes not only from Firehouse Subs but other individual and business donors.
Jeff and Tammie Williams own the Niles and Mishawaka Firehouse Subs restaurants and have handed out checks not only to the Niles Fire Department but also a number of other area departments over the last few years. They noted that the foundation has also awarded grants to other entities including police, schools, and veterans organizations.
Jeff Williams said that Firehouse Subs’ dedication and support of local communities was one reason why they decided to be part of the company. “Departments always have something they need that’s not in the budget,” he said. “That’s one reason why we got involved with Firehouse Subs. We also have great customer support. We’re so proud to be involved.”
Firefighter Tyler Burks was the driving force behind applying for and getting the new grant for the Niles Fire Department. He began researching information about what they needed last November and submitted the application and accompanying materials including quotes for the costs of the items the day the application window opened on Jan. 8.
Burks’ efforts resulted in the department receiving a $32,092 grant to buy a rescue sled, 10 Swiftwater dry suits, six Mustang ice commanders, 16 helmets, and six NRS rapid rescuers and accessories. He described the items as gear, bags, flotation devices, and ice water rescue rafts.
This was the first time Burks wrote a grant application but he had the example of both his father and grandfather before him who have obtained grants for area fire departments.
His father, Corey Burks, is retired from the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office and has been able to get grants for the Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township Fire Department where he is a firefighter. His grandfather, Bruce Stover, is the retired BSOT Fire Chief and has obtained a number of grants over the years for his and other departments.
Niles Fire Chief Jeremy Connell said that getting the grant will help his department. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to get gear that we wouldn’t normally get,” he said. “It’s an excellent opportunity to replace gear that is outdated and close to being out of service. Otherwise, we would have to raise funds and save up money to get the gear.”
Connell said that people likely don’t understand the need for the cold water gear on summer days when the temperature hits the 90s. “Even on hot days, the water can be cold and the dry suits keep them warm so they don’t suffer from hypothermia,” he said.
He thanked the Williams for their support of area departments. “We can’t do what we do without you,” he said. “We would be walking around with suits that have holes in them.”
He said Niles firefighters do water rescue training on the St. Joseph River off of Marmont Street as well as on the Dowagiac River off of Pucker Street. In addition, they join with other area firefighters attend technical rescue school training on the East Race in South Bend.
Connell said everyone on the Niles fire department are either certified in water rescue or soon will be. The department currently has 10 full time firefighters and numerous reserve officers. He said nearly all of the full time firefighters are certified in water rescue while some of the reserve officers are as well.
He and firefighter Zach Hoetger noted that the support teams are also important when it comes to water rescue as they are able to move equipment, throw ropes and manage lines and use tools. Hoetger said people are trained in shore operations, basic boat operations and technical operations.
In addition to this grant, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has provided grants to fire departments in Berrien Springs-Oronoko Township, Buchanan Township, Bertrand Township, Dowagiac, Howard Township, Indian Lake and Royalton Township in recent years. Another new grant was just approved for Weesaw Township near Three Oaks.