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Lake Mary Firefighter Featured On New Hero Cups
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Firehouse Subs is proud to honor Lake Mary firefighter, Ryan Cooper, on its second series of Hero Cups. Honoring five firefighters and a child for their bravery under pressure, Firehouse Subs Hero Cups feature each hero’s lifesaving story and photo, and are due in all 369 restaurants by the end of July. Citizens and firefighters from across the country submitted nominations and five cup winners were chosen by a selection committee for their incredible acts of bravery and contributions to their communities.
Off-duty firefighter Ryan Cooper was in his driveway when he saw a twin-engine aircraft crash in his Sanford, Fla., neighborhood, engulfing two homes in flames. He defied convention, rushing into the aviation-fueled inferno without an air pack, to drag a 10-year-old boy to safety. He then re-entered the home, groping through thick black smoke and zero-visibility conditions to pull out the boy’s father. Cooper put his life on the line again as he charged into the second home to search for survivors until smoke inhalation finally overcame him. He then assisted paramedics in treating the child, stabilizing him for transport. Days later, sitting in a wheelchair with intravenous tubes in his arm, Cooper preferred not to be called a hero, instead he explained it was just the right thing to do. For his courage under fire, Cooper was awarded Safety Hero Award from the United Safety Council.
“As former firefighters, my brother and I are honored to give these heroes the recognition they deserve,” said Robin Sorensen, co-founder of Firehouse Subs. “The men and women selected this year represent the extraordinary courage and dedication all firefighters possess, as stories like these go untold every day. We celebrate these everyday heroes and their families, and through Firehouse Subs we hope to bring the thousands of untold stories of bravery to life.”
In addition to Cooper, honorees represent fire departments in Bluffton, S.C., Durham, N.C., and Ocala, Fla. After rescuing his friend from drowning, a child from Atlanta, Ga., was chosen as a hero for the kid’s cup.
Firehouse Subs®, founded in Jacksonville, Fla., by former firefighting brothers Chris and Robin Sorensen, is a 369-unit fast-casual restaurant chain. Subs offer oversized portions of premium hand-sliced meats and cheeses, steamed to make the flavors burst, then piled high with fresh produce atop a toasted sub roll. Restaurants reflect the authentic firefighter heritage, as well as the founding family’s 200 years of firefighting service. Since its inception in 2005, The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation, Inc. has provided more than $1.25 million in life-saving equipment and resources to deserving local fire departments. Firehouse Subs was also named “National Chain” winner of the National Restaurant Association’s (NRA) Restaurant Neighbor Award for their overall dedication to community service. The 2009 plans for expansion include the Northeast, Central and Southwest regions of the U.S. For more information on Firehouse Subs, please call 1.800.388.FIRE (3473), become a fan on Facebook at facebook.com/firehousesubs or visit www.firehousesubs.com.
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