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The Yavapai College Fire Science Program just got a big boost, thanks to a generous donation made to the college by the City of Prescott Fire Department. On Tuesday, July 21, City of Prescott Fleet Service Supervisor Jim Fosnough drove an HME-manufactured Type I pumper through the gates at the Yavapai College Career and Technical Services Center. Having served the City for upwards of 18 years, the engine is now in the grateful hands of the instructors and students of the YC Fire Science program.

“We are extremely grateful to the City of Prescott and the Prescott Fire Department for the generous donation of a fire truck for our students,” said Fire Science Program Interim Director Mikayla Baker. “This donation helps our instructors to carry out our mission of training the next generation of firefighters.”

According to Prescott Fire Chief Dennis Light, the donation came about when the college learned that the Prescott Fire Department was preparing to decommission one of its engines since it was past its service life. YC inquired as to the ability to receive the engine as a donation, and upon formally receiving a request to donate, the Fire Department worked with City of Prescott Fleet Services to provide the ways and means for transferring ownership to YC via a unanimous vote by the Prescott City Council.

“The Prescott Fire Department values its historic partnership with Yavapai College, and is hopeful that the engine donated will provide future students the best tools in which to learn and acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities to serve the quad-city area as a firefighter in the not too distant future,” said Chief Light.

The handover was attended by Prescott Mayor Greg Mengarelli, Chief Light, City of Prescott Fleet Manager Justin Hill, Fleet Service Supervisor Jim Fosnough, Mikayla Baker, and Yavapai College Dean of Career and Technical Education John Morgan.

The donation of the engine aids not just students of the Fire Science Program, but students in other areas of study will have an opportunity to do their part to maintain the pumper.

“This generous donation immediately helps two of our YC programs: Fire Science, where our existing trucks are 30 years old or more, as well as our Diesel Program, where students can get the donated truck back to operational form in various Diesel Tech courses,” said John Morgan.

Students in the autobody, automotive paint, and upholstery curricula may also be called upon in the future to maintain the engine as needed.