The Sauk City Fire Department received an inflatable search and rescue boat from the Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation on Sept. 8. The boat and its trailer are worth $13,500 and will be used by the fire department to conduct rescue missions on local lakes and rivers where traditional boats can’t go. Sauk City Assistant Fire Chief Michael Breunig said the Wisconsin River presents unique challenges for the department, and the new boat will save valuable time during rescue missions. “The Wisconsin River changes every day, creating a navigational nightmare,” he said. “With this inflatable rescue boat and its jet engine, we’ll be able operate in as little as four inches of water.” Breunig filled out a grant application for the boat and said he was surprised to receive it from the safety foundation. With recent budget cuts, he said the boat will fill an important need for the department. “In the past, we’ve had to rely on what limited resources we had on rescues and on mutual aid, all of which loses valuable time,” he said. “Some people don’t have that time.” Eric Erwin hosted the donation event at his Firehouse Subs restaurant on Mineral Point Road in Madison. He said his two Firehouse Subs locations are leading contributors to the public safety foundation. “We love to help donate life-saving equipment,” Erwin said. The Firehouse Subs Public Safety Foundation was started in 2005 to help purchase life-saving equipment for first responders and public safety organizations. The foundation has donated more than $20 million to safety organizations across the United States, and more than $180,000 in Wisconsin.