Orillia’s firefighters unveiled new training equipment today following a grant from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada.
The Orillia Fire Department was granted six new training manikins, worth $9,183, meant to help firefighters simulate and exercise a variety of real world rescue scenarios in emergency situations.
Two water rescue manikins, two fire rescue manikins and two auto-extrication manikins were unveiled at Gill Street’s Fire Station 1 today, marking the second donation from Firehouse Subs since 2022.
“We're once again here to thank our friends from Firehouse Subs and Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation for their generous donation of $9,183, with which we've purchased these mannequins,” said Orillia Fire Chief Michael Clark.
“To be a competent and effective fire service is all about preparation and training, and with these realistic mannequins that we have here … our firefighters are able to be up to the task and to perform effective rescues for Orillia’s citizens," said Clark.
Donations made by customers at Firehouse Subs locations support grant opportunities through its foundation, said local franchise co-owner Nilam Shah, who said he is “really proud to say that we are providing these six new training manikins.”
“We believe giving back in community matters is very important, and we recently learned that success of one of our previous donations, (a rescue) boat donated in 2022. That boat was used to save a gentleman who fell into Lake Simcoe while he was fishing.”
Shah thanked first-responders for the work they do in the community, as well as the Firehouse Subs customers who make these types of grants possible.
“You can see the difference community makes, and we want to make sure that our first-responders have the tools to do the job as quickly and efficiently as they can,” he said.
Although he was unable to attend the unveiling, Mayor Don McIsaac was quoted in a city press release expressing his gratitude.
“We are thankful to Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada and our local Firehouse Subs in Orillia for providing us with this generous funding,” said the mayor.
“Through Firehouse Sub’s Public Safety Foundation’s support, our fire department has six new specialized rescue training manikins, allowing our firefighters to participate in more realistic and diverse training exercises and further enhance our community's safety.”
The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation of Canada has awarded 332 grants to public safety organizations since 2015. These grants have provided critical lifesaving and training equipment worth more than $3.2 million across Ontario.
