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Columbia County donates surplus fire engine to Florida Gateway College to support growing training programs
Summary
The board declared an older engine surplus and approved donation to Florida Gateway College, where leaders said the vehicle will support live-burn training and a growing enrollment in workforce programs including fire, welding and HVAC.
The Board approved declaring an older fire engine surplus and donating it to Florida Gateway College for use in public-safety training. Tracy Higdon, dean of workforce, career and technology programs, told commissioners the college runs about 50 fire students per semester and has a wait list approaching 100 students; the engine will be used primarily as a stationary pump for live burns and other training activities.
Higdon and other college representatives thanked the board and noted the relationship between the college and county fire-rescue services — several graduates work for county services, and county employees serve as instructors. Commissioners applauded the collaboration and voted to approve the surplus declaration and donation by voice vote.
Board members also noted the county’s ongoing interest in workforce programming, including expansion of welding programs and other vocational tracks that county leaders said are producing trained workers for local employers.
