San Bernardino County Fire recently donated a Type III Brush Engine & Ambulance to Crafton Hills College (CHC). The donated apparatus previously ran thousands of emergencies and now will serve in an educational role at the college.

The 1999 International / Pierce “Fire Hawk” Type III Engine has been donated to CHC Fire Academy to help train future firefighters. Prior to today’s donation, CHC did not have a wildland apparatus in their fleet. With California’s fire season now year around, a significant training emphasis is placed on wildland firefighting. The apparatus previously served the San Bernardino Area for more than 20 years. The four-wheel drive engine carries 500 gallons of water, pumps 500 gallons per minute and can “pump and roll” which is crucial for wildland firefighting. Besides the engine, it comes with a full wildland compliment of gear consistent with industry standards. The apparatus will allow cadets to learn on wild land specialized apparatus and their operations. "On behalf of our long running program as well as the Crafton Hills College and the San Bernardino Community College District, I would like to thank the San Bernardino County Fire Department for this great donation and all of the support that they have provided us throughout the years," said Alder. "We truly value our great working relationship and the positive impact it has on our communities."

Also donated is a 2005 Ford / MedTec Ambulance. The donation will assist the college’s emergency medical technician (EMT) and Paramedic program. The ambulance will allow students to learn to treat patients inside the ambulance, patient loading and gurney operations. “Our EMT and Paramedic students will be able to practice hands-on skills and assessments in the back of this ambulance and work through the aspects of moving and transporting patients while continuing patient care. We are greatly appreciative of this donation from the San Bernardino County Fire Department," according to Amanda Ward, CHC Paramedic Program Director. "With high fidelity simulation being a key component to our educational models, the addition of a fully functional ambulance will aid to create the most realistic simulations possible”

The two new donations will join three previous donations from San Bernardino County Fire. Hundreds of San Bernardino County Fire personnel both past and present have trained at Crafton Hills College. Crafton and other local colleges are pivotal in training future firefighters, EMTs and Paramedics. These colleges are an integral part of San Bernardino County’s “Cradle to Career” roadmap. The roadmap depicts a collaborative approach that engages families, educators, government, business, labor, faith and community-based organizations as pillars of support for students. The roadmap is based on students achieving specific academic and career readiness milestones at each age and grade level.