Tim Thalacker knows there are many components needed for quality firefighter training he's receiving at DMACC's Fire Science Academy is the best he can receive. He also knows some equipment is tough to obtain.
Thalacker spoke at a recent press conference where DMACC officials unveiled a fire truck, announcing the college had obtained the truck to use at the fire academy, with grant money, along with an ambulance.
“Not many firefighter training centers can claim to have their very own fire trucks,” said Thalacker, who is a second-year student in DMACC’s Fire Science Technology program and a volunteer firefighter with the Baxter Fire Department. “The fire truck will help the fire science program tremendously. In the fire industry, we can learn a lot in the classroom, but almost everything we learn has to be applied hands-on, at some point.”
Thalacker said DMACC classes and hands-on training, historically, have not generally taken place at the same site.
“All our hands-on things we did was out at Urbandale Fire Department, including live burns in their burn tower, extrication practice, testing, etc.,” Thalacker said. “We always used one of their fire engines and we are grateful for that equipment. But by having this truck, we can literally go through a lecture (on a DMACC campus) and walk 20 feet and have our own fire truck we can practice while it’s still fresh in our minds.”
The purchase was made possible by a $113,000 grant from Prairie Meadows. The grant covered the truck, equipment and some minor repairs.