“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.

Then he joined another Knightdale firefighter and three from the Eastern Wake Fire Department for the drive to Lake Lure, 30 miles southeast of Asheville. The five-man team and an Eastern Wake engine arrived at the Lake Lure command post for a briefing about 1 a.m. Sunday.

The Knightdale-Eastern Wake team were among dozens of firefighters from the Triangle who joined colleagues from around the state in the battle against one of the largest wildfires burning through a mountainous region suffering from a prolonged drought. They went in response to a request from the N.C. State Emergency Operations Center for 100 engine companies and brush trucks to fight the Lake Lure fire, which threatens the village of Chimney Rock and surrounding homes and cottages.

“These fires continue to threaten homes and businesses in the western part of our state, as well as the safety of the people who call that area home,” Wake County Fire Services Director Nick Campasano said in a statement Tuesday. “Wake County is actively doing its part to help our colleagues get these fires under control.”

Forty-one firefighters from 13 fire departments in Wake County have gone to Lake Lure, said Darrell Alford, the deputy director and chief of operations for Wake County Fire Services. They took with them five fire engines, 10 brush trucks and one support vehicle, Alford said. Those who deployed are a mixture of volunteer and professional firefighters.

“It bodes well for Wake County in supporting our neighbors to the west,” Alford said. “It shows we are the capital county and we just responded well to the call. It shows a good brotherhood helping out neighbors.”

Like others from Wake County, Thornton, Knightdale’s Evan Guinn and Eastern Wake Fire Department’s Capt. Brian Bunn, Henry Stubblefield and Matt Toler are scheduled to be deployed for seven days. They spent Sunday and Monday clearing brush and debris around homes in the Broad River area in case the fire switches directions.

Officials said Monday that the fire was more than 3,400 acres in size and 15 percent contained, and that calm weather had reduced its spread.

“Coming from my end, I do feel like it’s getting better,” Thornton said Tuesday. “Visibility has been bad – today it’s much better. It’s easier to breathe, and temperatures feel pretty good.”

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