The Covington Fire Department (CFD) was recently awarded a grant of $16,902 from Firehouse Subs, which will go toward a new fire hose and accessories to outfit the new fire truck the city recently purchased.

The CFD was one of 18 organizations to receive funds for equipment throughout Metro Atlanta.

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation awarded a total of $267,000 worth of equipment, presenting checks at the Cobb County Safety Village in Marietta Thursday.

Covington Fire Education Specialist Jonathan Fuqua worked with Covington Firehouse Subs restaurant owners and brothers, Clint and Grant Rholetter, to submit a grant request for the purchase of the hose.

“When we become a part of a community, one of the first things we do is look for ways we can help,” Grant Rholetter said. “If there is a need, we want to help fill it and to be able to support a great town like Covington is very rewarding.”

Covington Fire Chief Stoney Bowles said the award was the largest grant he has been associated with in his 31 years as a firefighter.

“To see a business like Firehouse Subs step up and donate such a significant amount of money to the city of Covington fire department is humbling,” Bowles said. “To say we are thankful would be a tremendous understatement. The work Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation does for the advancement of public safety across the nation is something they can hang their helmet on.”

The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation donated $267,000 dollars to 18 different public safety entities in Georgia in 2015 and has donated more than $15 million to 1,100 different agencies since the foundation’s inception in 2005.

“These brave men and women dedicate their lives to protecting ours, and it is a privilege to provide them with the tools needed to help ensure their safety as well as ours,” said Robin Peters, executive director, Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. “As former firefighters, Firehouse Subs Founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen saw firsthand how critical it was for first responders to have the training and tools they need to save lives.”

The grants go to ensuring Metro Atlanta area first responders are better equipped to protect and save lives throughout their communities.

To raise money for the Foundation, Firehouse Subs restaurants participate in a number of fundraising efforts. Each restaurant recycles leftover, five-gallon pickle buckets, available to guests for a $2 donation to the Foundation. Donation canisters on register counters collect spare change, while the Round Up Program allows guests to “round up” their bill to the nearest dollar. Grant allocations are made possible thanks to the overwhelming support of Firehouse Subs restaurants and generous donors.

The Rholetter’s purchased the Covington location of Firehouse Subs on July 10, and own multiple other franchises.

“We’re very proud and honored, and extremely proud to have that quality of a company in our community, as Firehouse Subs is,” Covington Mayor Ronnie Johnston said.