Their firefighter training is stepping up a notch.The Crowders Mountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department has donated a red fire engine to the Firefighter Academy program at Hunter Huss High. Students in the program, which is in its fourth year, will use the donated rig to get hands-on experience and professional credit while learning what it takes to become a firefighter.
It’s the first truck the program has been able to call its own.
“We’ve been attempting to get a truck for the last four years,” said Chief Jerry Swift, the program’s instructor, who has also worked as a firefighter at several departments in the state. “Now we have the real thing. Students can actually put their hands on it just like a real firefighter does.”
The 1990 model truck is worth more than $150,000, Swift said. It came loaded with working lights, sirens and other equipment. It also has a storage tank that can hold 1,000 gallons of water on the rear of the truck.
Crowders Mountain Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department decided to donate the aging truck because it would no longer pass required tests for rural fire protection. The department put the truck in service in 2011 along with a sister truck that still runs. Firefighters delivered the truck to the school Oct. 26.
"We delivered the truck to some extremely happy students that will get a lot of use out of the truck for many years to come," said Matt Becton, the department's assistant chief. "We are glad that we could help this program because these students are the future of the fire service."
Huss is one of 43 high schools in the state that offer firefighter training. Students can take 21 firefighter safety courses across three certification levels, with each becoming more advanced. The Huss program is sponsored by the Gastonia Fire Department.