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Firehouse Subs of Novato Donates AEDs to Campus Police Department
Commitment to heartfelt service and public safety continues as part of life-saving initiative
NOVATO, CA—November 30, 2016—Yesterday College of Marin (COM) participated in #GivingTuesday with the hopes of raising $10,000 by December 31 to support student scholarships, book grants, and other areas of greatest need. This is COM’s second year participating in the movement billed as a way to harness the collective power of individuals to keep the focus on giving, which fades all too quickly in the flurry of Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales.
While this time of year often kindles in people the holiday spirit and a desire to give, the need for generosity exists year round. One local business understands this ongoing need, and this fall made a gift to the College that has the potential to save lives on campus.
Firehouse Subs of Novato carries on the tradition of company founders to the community by donating three Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) valued at $3,900 to College of Marin’s Police Department.
The Novato location is one of over 1,000 franchised restaurants found throughout 44 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada. The original Firehouse Subs was opened in 1994 by two brothers, Chris and Robin Sorenson, in their hometown of Jacksonville, Florida. The restaurant started as the dream of two firefighters and has since become an award-winning brand that provides opportunities for independent business owners to achieve their own entrepreneurial dreams.
Their business philosophy was built on decades of police and fire service, and that commitment to service continues at each restaurant location through the philanthropic work of Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
“We take pride in helping the community,” said Smith. “Every first responder should have easy access to these devices. When we saw that we could help with that, we were more than happy to donate the AEDs.”
Scott Smith, owner of Firehouse Subs in Novato, has made helping those that serve the community an integral part of running his business. Since opening just over a year ago they have donated lunch to volunteers at Habitat for Humanity once a month, as well as to a number of schools, churches, and other organizations for their various events.
As first responders, police officers are frequently in a position to provide immediate emergency assistance to someone experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Studies from the American Heart Association show use of an AED within three to five minutes of a victim's heart stopping improves odds of survival by nearly 70 percent.
“Many lives have been saved because of an AED being in the right place at the right time,” says acting Police Chief John Adams. “With AED’s in our patrol vehicles campus police officers are better equipped to treat someone in cardiac arrest until paramedics arrive. That time can make a life-saving difference and we are thankful to Firehouse Subs for this generous gift.”
About the College—90 Years of Transforming Lives Through Education and Training
College of Marin is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges, 10 Commercial Blvd., Suite 204, Novato, CA 94949, (415) 506-0234, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information about accreditation, including the filing of complaints against member institutions, can be found at www.accjc.org.
College of Marin is one of 113 public community colleges in California and approximately 13,000 credit, noncredit, and community education students enroll annually.