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MATC FIRE
PROTECTION PROGRAMS
RECEIVE FIRE TRUCK DONATION
FROM ABBOTT LABORATORIES
Due to a donation
from Abbott Laboratories, students in Madison Area Technical College's
(MATC) Fire Protection Technician and Fire Service Academy now will gain
hands-on experience with the college's first fully equipped fire truck.
While the college has had the use of fire trucks on loan from area fire
departments for several years, the fully equipped, bright yellow 1977
Ford pumper truck donated by Abbott Laboratories' North Chicago plant
is the first truck the college has owned outright.
Instructor Charles Himsel,
fire chief for the village of Mt. Horeb, learned about the truck from
an email sent out by Abbott Laboratories North Chicago Plant's Fire Chief
Sam Rossetti. Himsel and Dave Bloom, a member of the MATC Fire Protection
Advisory Board and fire chief for the town of Madison, visited Abbott's
North Chicago plant and found the truck--outfitted with all the necessary
hoses, nozzles, breathing apparatus and other vital safety equipment.
They knew it would be an excellent learning tool for students in MATC's
programs.
The truck, delivered to MATC
in May, will be put into service immediately during this summer’s
Fire Service Academy. "Our intention is to use the truck as a fully functioning
pumper," says John Stransky, coordinator of Protective Services. "Our
students will receive a close to real-life experience, doing what firefighters
do--including conducting morning equipment inspections on the truck, maintaining
and replenishing it's rescue gear."
With strong ties to area fire
departments as well as an active advisory board, MATC offers a two-year
Associate in Applied Science degree in Fire Protection Technician as well
as Fire Service Certification in its Fire Service Academy. In addition,
the college offers certificate programs and training to fire departments
throughout the college district.
Abbott Laboratories is a broad-based
discovery and manufacturing company specializing in healthcare, pharmaceutical,
medical and nutritional products. The company's North Chicago plant is
its largest facility and is located in northernmost Illinois near the
Wisconsin border along Lake Michigan. The company maintains its own fire
department, partnering with the city of North Chicago Fire Department
and the Naval Training Center Great Lakes to provide fire safety services
to the region.
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. The college serves all or parts of 12 counties located
in south central Wisconsin and offers instruction through five campuses
and various other locations throughout the district.
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Last
Modified:
June 12, 2002
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