Palm Coast Fire Department donates engine to FPC fire academy

Palm Coast Observer
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Students in the firefighter program at Flagler Palm Coast High School now have their own fire truck to use for their training — thanks to a donation of a surplus 2004 Kenworth T-300 fire engine by the Palm Coast Fire Department, according to a news release.

The Palm Coast City Council approved the donation, through an interlocal agreement with the Flagler County School District, at the council meeting on Aug. 21.

Palm Coast Deputy Fire Chief Jerry Forte said the donated fire engine is designed to be used as a fire training prop, providing FPC students the opportunity for hands-on learning with the apparatus, fire hand tools, hoses, nozzles, an EKG machine and EMT/paramedic supplies. The truck will not be operated as a motor vehicle; it will be a stationary training device. Exactly how the truck will be used is still being determined by Flagler County Fire Rescue and Flagler Schools, according to the release.

The truck has already been branded with a graphic featuring the FPC Bulldog and an outline of the State of Florida and three words using “FPC”: Focus, Purpose, Commitment.

The Palm Coast Fire Department deemed the truck as surplus as part of the department’s vehicle replacement program. As fire engines reach the end of their life cycles, they are used as backup apparatus prior to being deemed surplus. Palm Coast Fire had previously donated surplus air packs to the FPC Academy.

“Our goal is to keep them local,” Forte said in the release. “We want employees who want to work here because their family lives here and they’ve established their roots here in Palm Coast.”