Donation from Foundation a 'God Send' For Peters Police

Peters Township police Chief Harry Fruecht summed up the donation of more than $9,500 in equipment to the department in one simple sentence: “It’s a God send.”

Police and township officials joined organizers from Firehouse Subs and its Public Safety Foundation for a ceremony at the restaurant Thursday in which the department was gifted eight bulletproof helmets and 25 ballistic shields.

And the chief said the equipment is of paramount importance, especially when considering that 50 percent of officers who are killed in the line of duty die from gunshot wounds to the head.

Fruecht also noted that over the recent past, the department has had to respond to 11 incidents that involved firearms—with two of those ending with those guns being fired.

“You never know when you or someone you close to you will be personally impacted by the life-saving capabilities of a first responder,” added Abeer Kronawetter, franchisee of the McMurray restaurant. “These heroes deserve the best tools, training and technology and our foundation is here to help make that happen.”

Firehouse Subs’ founders' firefighting heritage inspired the formation of the foundation, which provides funding, resources and support to public safety outlets.

Throughout the month of October, all Firehouse Subs restaurants will celebrate Fire Safety Month by encouraging patrons to purchase $1 and $5 medallions to raise funds for the cause.

And organizers were clear: The generous donations of patrons keep the foundation healthy.