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Madison Fire
Department Kicks Off Fire Prevention Month with
Donation of Fire Engine to Madison Area Technical College
The
Madison Fire Department kicked off its annual October activities for National
Fire Prevention Month with a sizeable donation – a Spartan 1250 gallon
pumper fire engine – to Madison Area Technical College (MATC). City
of Madison Mayor Dave Cieslewicz and Fire Chief Debra Amesqua traveled
to MATC’s Fire Service Education Center, located at 1750 Pearson
St. near the college’s Truax facility, to personally present the
red, 1988 fire engine to college officials.
Following a brief
ceremony, in which a new decal with the MATC logo was placed on the fire
engine, the mayor and chief witnessed MATC Fire Service staff and graduates
use the college’s new engine to extinguish a blazing car fire in
a demonstration exercise.
“This fire
engine has served the City well,” stated Mayor Cieslewicz, “and
by donating it to MATC, we are making an investment in the future safety
of our city. The engine will continue to serve Madison and many other
communities by enhancing the hands-on education MATC provides to thousands
of student, volunteer and professional firefighters each year.”
Fire Chief Amesqua
noted “the fire engine is in fine working condition and should provide
years of relevant fire equipment experience to MATC students and area
firefighters who train at the college’s Fire Service Education Center.
Firefighters must continue rigorous training throughout their careers.
MATC’s role is vital in educating new recruits and in assisting area
fire departments keep their skills current.”
MATC Acting President
Rose Ann Findlen and Protective Services Associate Dean John Stransky
accepted the vehicle on behalf of the college. “We are thrilled with
this very special donation from the Madison Fire Department,” stated
Findlen. “MATC works hard to provide practical and valuable education
to meet student, employer and community needs. We see this donation as
a vote of confidence from the City. Our partnership with the Madison Fire
Department is extremely important to our college and communities we serve.
This generous donation will allow us to further improve real life learning
experiences for our students.”
Stransky explained
that MATC is the primary provider of fire training within the college’s
district, which includes all or part of 12 counties in south-central Wisconsin.
He stated that 40 students enroll each fall in the college’s two-year
associate degree Fire Protection Technician Program and about 500 students
are served each year in the college’s four Emergency Medical Technician
programs. “In addition, about 100 new firefighters hired by local
fire departments prepare for state certification exams through MATC’s
Fire Recruit Academy diploma program and about 3,000 volunteer firefighters
receive a wide range of training at MATC each year.” Eighty area
fire departments are located in the MATC District and most use the college’s
facilities to provide ongoing training for their firefighters.
MATC Fire Academy
graduate and Firefighter Instructor Lisa Becher took part in the ceremony
and demonstration and explained the unique training provided by the Spartan
pumper engine. “Last year MATC received its first fire engine, outfitted
to combat chemical fires, through a generous donation from Abbott Labs.
Our newest engine now rounds out the hands-on experience students can
gain on MATC equipment. This engine is typical of those used everyday
in community service by local fire departments and is equipped with a
multi-line hose system, which our students now can learn to use right
here at MATC.”
MATC is one of
the largest of the Wisconsin Technical College System’s 16 colleges.
It provides a comprehensive curriculum of technical, liberal arts and
science, adult basic education and life enrichment studies and activities,
as well as customized employee training. MATC provides training in more
than 100 career programs. It awards associate degrees, vocational diplomas
and certificates, and offers non-degree courses. The college offers instruction
through five campuses and various other locations throughout the district.
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Last
Modified:
August 11, 2003
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