Green Twp. donates fire truck to Cincinnati State

GREEN TWP. – Green Township Fire & EMS is donating one of its old fire engines to Cincinnati State Technical and Community College.

The truck will be used to help train students in the college’s fire service technology program.

The township recently purchased a new fire truck and has downsized its fleet. Township trustees approved a resolution to donate one of the department’s old trucks – a 22-year-old, front-line pumper – to Cincinnati State.

Green Township serves as an internship site for Cincinnati State fire service students, and one of its assistant chiefs is a graduate of the program.

“We’re delighted to be able to give something back to the community,” Green Township Fire & EMS Assistant Chief Scott Souders said.

“We have a good relationship with the college, and this will help train students who may well wind up serving our own residents. So we view this as a positive all the way around.”

Cincinnati State President O’dell M. Owens said the college will put the gift to good, and immediate, use.

“Hands-on education is a big part of what makes Cincinnati State special,” Owens said. “We rely on our community partners and we’re tremendously grateful for this type of support.”

Learning to drive a fire truck is part of the mandated state curriculum taught during fire training at Cincinnati State, which prepares students to enter a workforce that supplies nearly 50 fire stations in Greater Cincinnati.

Each semester about 20 students enroll in Cincinnati State’s fire truck driving class.

The fire service technology program at Cincinnati State has three fire trucks – a 20-year-old engine used for fire attack, a 29-year-old truck used for attack and search and rescue and a 24-year-old rescue truck used for vehicle extrication.

Phil Vossmeyer, chairman of the fire service technology program at Cincinnati State, said one reason the Green Township donation is so welcome is the flexibility it provides in scheduling. With it, maintenance or vehicle repairs can be scheduled without fear of disrupting classes.

Vossmeyer noted that the cost of a new fire truck normally runs between $200,000 and $400,000. In the past, he said Cincinnati State has purchased used fire trucks for $10,000 to $25,000 each.

“This is the first time in 15 years we have received this type of gift,” he said. “We are quite grateful.”