Los Medanos College’s Fire Technology department recently acquired a new fire engine, greatly expanding its hands-on teaching capabilities. The Spartan fire engine is a Type 1 vehicle, which means it can react to a wide range of emergencies such as medical calls, home fires, and automobile fires.
Mike Grillo, the Department Chair of Fire Technology, pointed out many important improvements in the new fire engine over earlier versions. “The newer fire engines, first of all, the transmissions are a lot smoother. Number two is the inside of the cab, there is much more room for everyone to sit. Thirdly, they [the cab] have air conditioning. And then fourth, one thing I think you might like is the air bottle that we wear to breathe air is actually on the back of your seat. So when you sit down on the fire engine…all you gotta do is put the straps on.”
The acquisition of the fire engine represents an important step forward for the program, which serves around 300 to 400 students at different stages of training. Previously, students had to drive to a firefighter training site in Contra Costa County to obtain the proper equipment.
“It is one thing to show someone something on a screen. It’s another thing to take them outside and say, ‘Here, pick it up, hold it, touch it, pull it,'” Grillo said.
The fire engine was purchased from the Cordelia Fire Department, which was part of a bigger department, leaving the vehicle for sale. “Los Medanos College did purchase this fire equipment. It was a used fire engine. We bought it from Cordelia Fire Department, which is up in the Fairfield Vacaville area, their fire department got taken over by a bigger Fire Department. So we were able to purchase it at a reasonable price,” Grillo said.
Looking ahead the department plans to increase its self-sufficiency.
“Our future goal is to build a firefighter training program so that we don’t have to go borrow other people’s equipment. So our main goal now is to try to provide equipment and locations where we can do training without having to go use other people’s property. So I think our goal is to be more self-independent,” Grillo said.
This latest addition is a big step forward in LMC’s efforts to provide hands-on, high-quality training for future firefighters, ensuring they have the skills and experience required for real-world situations.
