ENCINITAS – To help fill in some of the funding gaps in the city’s firefighting budget, Firehouse Subs, using funds from its Public Safety Foundation, donated more than $11,900 to the Encinitas Fire Department.
Encinitas Deputy Fire Chief Mike Stein, with other city officials, was on hand on Wednesday at the Firehouse Subs location on N. El Camino Real, to accept the donation, which is going towards the purchase of a thermal imaging camera and other accessories for Fire Station No. 6 in Olivenhain.
“Smoke robs us of our sight,” Stein said, adding that there are situations during a structure fire when you can’t even see your hand in front of your face.
With the new thermal imaging camera, which has already been ordered for the station, firefighters will be able to use the piece of equipment to essentially see through the smoke.
By doing that, they can see whether, during a fire, there’s someone in the structure, or even where hot spots might still remain once a fire is under control.
Firehouse Subs created their nonprofit Public Safety Foundation nine years ago. Since its inception, they’ve been able to donate $9 million to first responders and public safety organizations in 40 states and in Puerto Rico.
