Chelan Fire 1 Donates Engine to Tech Center Program

Chelan County Fire District 1 recently donated a 1984 Seagraves fire engine to the Wenatchee Valley Technical Skills Center High School Fire Science program.

Fire Science Director David Young said the gift completes the program, as there are some things you can only teach with a fire engine. The truck will help instruct students on how to report to a scene, properly run a hose, connect to a hydrant, and how to direct a water stream.

Young and Chelan Fire District 1 Chief Brian Brett had actually been talking about donating an engine for the last few years.

The Fire Science program provides fire fighter 1 introductory training to high-schoolers that are interested in the industry. Young runs the program as close to an academy as he can, with the classroom as their firehouse.

"For those that are truly committed to it, a lot of my seniors have jobs coming out before they event graduate." Young explained, "Whether that's with a local or state resident program with full time careers, if they continue to pursue that, or with the (Forest) Service."

Young added that, in his program, students learn teamwork, respect, humility, and are pushed out of their comfort zones.