New Rescue Boat Coming To Marco Police Department

The two brothers who founded Firehouse Subs in 1994 were determined to not only bring a great product to the market but to remember their shared experiences in the Public Safety Field. This memory would eventually benefit Marco Island.

Chris and Robin Sorenson helped feed first responders and survivors in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. It was then that they founded the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.

That 501-(c) (3) charity’s mission is dedicated to impacting the lifesaving capabilities and the lives of local heroes and their communities around the country and in our territories and Canada.

The funds are allocated in the following areas:

• Lifesaving Equipment
• Prevention Education
• Scholarships for Continuing Education
• Support For Military Personnel
• Disaster Preparedness and Relief

Marco Island Police Chief Tracy Frazzano had worked closely with Joan Taylor, who served as the Accreditation and Grants Manager for the police department. Her focus at the time was the successful completion of the application for the “Accreditation Certification” with the Florida Commission for Law Enforcement Accreditation. That goal was completed in the late Spring of 2022.

When prospects for a favorable nod to acquire a small rescue craft that could be utilized in high water incidents for the department would begin to dim, it would be Taylor who brought the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation Grant Program to Chief Frazzano’s attention and received her permission to proceed. She worked with Marine Division Sgt. Angel Casabona regarding that grant. They, in turn, were notified of the approval of the over $17K application for the new craft and equipment for the department.

Both the Marco Police Department representatives, as well as representatives from the Ft. Myers Beach Fire Department, met with Foundation Representatives for the presentation of the awards.

Chief Frazzano led her delegation, which included Sgt. Angel Casabona and Joan Taylor, who was recently appointed as the Marco Island City Clerk. Representing the Foundation was Nancy Palmer.

Presently 1,240 Firehouse Sub Restaurants exist in all 50 United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, and other non-traditional locations. Since its creation, the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation has distributed over $77 million in Grants to Public Safety Organizations, with $11 million alone in the State of Florida.

More information regarding the Foundation can be found at www.firehousesubsfoundation.org or email Nancy Palmer at foundation@firehousesubs.com.