The Cobb County Public Safety Foundation was not inspired overnight — ask Lance LoRusso Jr. of LoRusso Law Firm, the organization’s CEO. Rather, it was a long time coming — even prior to the chaos that was 2020, there had been negative feelings about law enforcement and public safety, LoRusso notes. With that knowledge, several caring community members who understand the imperative nature of public safety got together, and the very first meeting of the Cobb County Public Safety Foundation took place in June 2019.
According to LoRusso, the group had already seen how other foundations of its nature had been successful in the United States and hoped to emulate them. “We decided that Cobb needed to have something like that, where we could stand up for our public safety,” he says. “We don’t get into any politics. We just support them.”
True to his statements, the Foundation is careful to remain unbiased and encourage the betterment of fire, EMS and police, who are able to save lives and improve the community as a whole. The board, made up of concerned citizens, utilizes members’ different talents and business sensibilities to ensure funds raised address the most pressing needs.
John Loud, owner of LOUD Security Systems and an original board member, feels that raising money to supplement the invaluable work of public safety officials is one of his callings.
“What greater mission is there for all of us?” he remarks. “These are real people who finish a shift and go to dinner with their families, just like the rest of us. I never served in the military — and I was a volunteer firefighter for only a short window of time — so I want to give and do with my abilities today.”
Another board member, Susan Hampton with Pinnacle Financial Partners, feels similarly about giving her time for the good of the collective. “To be honest, I’ve always been someone who loves to give back,” she shares. “I got out of high school and started volunteering with Young Life, then eventually moved on to other causes.”
Hampton, Loud and LoRusso, as well as the rest of the board, understand the importance of raising funds for the underfunded area of public safety. Not only do EMS, police and firefighters earn modest salaries, but plenty of additional costs and emergencies can come up, and the Foundation is there to supplement as much as possible.
“There is only so much money a county can put into public safety,” Hampton notes. “So many things are needed and aren’t in the budget. One small example is the 9-11 Center, where we sponsored a garden area, where it’s beautiful and safe and workers can go on their break. That was recently completed and unveiled.”
Other projects funded by the Foundation have included a recent seminar where officers could share and express their concerns and feelings to other officers and even a fleet of bicycles.
“There are areas where, if officers are on a bike, they can interact more with the community,” Hampton points out. “Especially with younger people. Parks, apartment complexes — you can ride your bicycle up to a basketball game and shoot a few hoops, for example.”
LoRusso adds that the main points of the Foundation come down to the acronym REST, which stands for Relief, Equipment, Support and Training. Providing all of these things close to home — instead of sending officials to another state for training, for example — saves money and keeps them closer to their families. The psychological benefits are as myriad as the financial, since individuals are able to retain and grow in their roles with proper support.
Right now, the Foundation is building a $300,000 relief fund that will aid in many different areas. LoRusso adds that these funds often make the difference between a public safety officer staying on board to serve the community and being forced to find higher paying work in the face of a financial crisis.
“We need to be prepared for loss,” he says. “We had an officer who could not work his part-time job because of an injury, and we helped him pay his rent. These funds can take away the burden."
LoRusso, Hampton and Loud agree public safety is the very heartbeat of Cobb, and the Cobb Public County Safety Foundation’s mission is to keep that heartbeat pumping for the future. Without first responders, a solid community cannot exist.
“This is paramount for me,” Loud shares. “Our community heroes are our first responders and teachers — I ask myself, what can I do as an individual to help them? I have the heart and passion to supplement them and support them.”
“There is no strong county or city in the United States that can prosper without a strong foundation, and that foundation is provided by police, fire and EMS,” adds Hampton. They work long hours for little pay and put their lives on the line for us each time they wear the uniform.”
LoRusso agrees, pointing out that Cobb County’s public safety officials are not just vaguely “for the county,” but rather, for each and every person who inhabits Cobb and loves where they live.
“It’s not Cobb’s public safety; it is every citizen’s,” he emphasizes. “When you call 9-11, someone answers and sends people to you, who then commit to protecting and saving your life. For that, they deserve our respect and support. That’s why we are here — to make certain someone keeps answering the call.”
Visit ccpsf.org to donate.
The Foundation is careful to remain unbiased and encourage the betterment of fire, EMS and police, who save lives and improve the community as a whole.