Eastpointe Fire and Rescue has donated an aerial ladder fire truck to Macomb Community College’s (MCC) Public Service Institute to enhance the training of Macomb fire academy cadets.
“The donated truck enables us to be self-sufficient, improves cadet training by conducting aerial exercises previously impossible without loaned equipment and allows us to conduct drills that require two trucks to complete,” said Michael Lopez, director, Public Safety Institute. “These exercises are important to prepare our students for what they will encounter once on the job,”
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The truck will be used for advanced fire suppression training, which is not possible with current equipment.
The 100-foot, 1998 Sutphen Aerial Ladder Truck, was recently significantly upgraded by Eastpointe Fire and Rescue, and has passed all necessary inspections, including ladder testing.
“Eastpointe firefighters current and past, have responded to many fires in this ladder truck and we look forward to knowing that the new firefighters in the Academy will be trained on that same piece of equipment,” said Eastpointe Fire Chief Brian Marquardt.
The estimated cost to purchase a new ladder truck is in excess of $2 million and can be a two-year process.
Through its Public Service Institute, MCC offers a fire academy to prepare individuals for certification as a firefighter as well as advanced education to support working professionals throughout their career. Macomb’s Public Service Institute trains those who keep the community safe, offering police, fire and health and safety training.