Two new vehicles will offer Des Moines Area Community College students hands-on experience in the Fire Science and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Paramedic Programs. The college has purchased their first fire truck and working ambulance to allow students to experience more real-life training at the Ankeny campus. The 2000 E-one Freightliner Pumper, commonly referred to as a fire engine, was purchased from the Barnard Fire Department in Rochester, N.Y. with the help of a $113,000 grant from Prairie Meadows. The truck holds five firefighters and is equipped with a 750 gallon onboard water tank, more than 2,000 feet of hose, an electrical generator and vehicle extrication tools. Students will not only work from the vehicles, they will work on them by performing inspections and maintenance. The ambulance, which was used by West Des Moines paramedics, was purchased from UnityPoint Health in Des Moines. Those students will get the opportunity to work with up-to-date equipment in a moving vehicle to help them learn how the speed, turns and stop affect patient care.
