COLLEGE STATION – Joseph Gamez of Shiner, Texas, is the first recipient of the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation scholarship. He was one of 46 new firefighters who graduated March 22 from the 140th Firefighter Recruit Academy Class.
Gamez was named Outstanding Cadet and received a full tuition reimbursement, made possible through a $25,000 grant to the Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX) from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation.
Earlier this month, representatives from the foundation were at at Brayton Fire Training Field, where they filmed an interview with Gamez for a new public service announcement.
The TEEX grant will fund three awards to Outstanding Cadets in the Recruit Fire Training Academy, as well as 16 scholarships for training during TEEX’s Annual Fire Schools in July.
Firehouse Subs created the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation in 2005 with the mission of providing funding, life-saving equipment, and educational opportunities to first-responders and public safety entities.
TEEX is a world-renowned leader in emergency services training. Its Recruit Fire Academy has trained more than 4,000 certified firefighters since 1971, and its graduates work in fire departments across Texas and in countries around the world.