The fire fleet at the Lambton College Fire School is bigger thanks to a gift from NOVA Chemicals.
The company donated a used pumper truck in a ceremony at the Lasalle Line site Friday morning.
Fire School Associate Dean Andre Ouellette said the 20-year-old fire truck only has 20,000 kilometres on it.
"It gives our students another type of vehicle they're going to use on the job," said Ouellette. "We have another type of pumper. Not all the same mechanisms. So, this extends that knowledge. It also allows us to do more hours, because instead of splitting up the groups, now we have two vehicles that we can work on simultaneously."
He said it completes the fleet.
"We've got a ladder truck, two pumpers and a rescue vehicle, so that really is for many fire departments the full gamut."
Ouellette said the truck will be used for various training scenarios by both fire science students and industrial clients using the fire school.
"Because it's an industrial truck as well, it can pump foam. Foam is used often in industrial firefighting, so that's why we're going to use it. Even our second year students will do a foam application and some industrial training."
He said it will also be used for driver training.
"This is going to be a great vehicle for the DZ license practicing. They've been taking out the bigger trucks, but those are sometimes more challenging. So, this is a perfect vehicle for that purpose."
As an added holiday gesture, NOVA filled the pumper with non-perishable food items for the Lambton College student food bank and the Inn of the Good Shepherd.
The fire truck was previously used at NOVA Chemicals Corunna site.
There are about 150 students currently enrolled in the college's Pre-Service Firefighter Education & Training, and Fire Science Technology programs.
