Gamber & Community Fire Co. is pleased to announce that it has received a grant award in the amount of $3548.00. This grant award is from Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation. Firehouse Subs has a retail location in the Crossroads Square Shopping Center in Westminster.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation is dedicated to impacting the life-saving capabilities and the lives of local heroes and their communities.

Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was established in 2005 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Firehouse Subs co-founders Chris Sorensen and Robin Sorensen traveled to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where they fed first responders and survivors. As they traveled back to Florida exhausted and exhilarated, they knew they could do more and created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, which to-date has donated more than $13 million in 43 states, including more than $107,000 in Maryland.

The grant will be used by the fire company to purchase 200 ten-year smoke alarms for distribution to residences in Gamber’s community. They will be purchased from Kidde, a national manufacturer of smoke alarms.

Gamber & Community Fire Co., under the leadership of current Chief Tim Brown, past Chief Charlie Green, and Fire Prevention Chairman Bridget Weishaar, has been forward-looking in canvassing local neighborhoods and communities checking on residential smoke alarms.

After several dwelling fires in Gamber’s area over the past few years where smoke alarms were not present or not operating, officers of the company decided to take a proactive approach to the problem. Firefighters and other members of the fire company have assisted homeowners and residents by checking existing smoke alarms, replacing batteries, and installing new 10-year sealed battery alarms where needed.

With the addition of 200 new smoke alarms, it is anticipated that the fire company will be expanding its community outreach and fire prevention activities this spring and summer.

The grant was prepared and submitted by Fire Prevention Chairman Bridget Weishaar and Treasurer Clay Myers.