DMACC President Rob Denson
(Ankeny, IA) -- The City of Pleasant Hill is donating a ladder truck to Des Moines Area Community College, for use in its Fire Science department.
DMACC President Rob Denson personally test drove the 73,000-pound ladder truck. “All of us at DMACC are appreciative and thrilled with this donation,” said Denson. “I want to personally thank Mayor Sara Kurovski, all of the members of the Pleasant Hill city council and Fire Chief Jamie Xayavong for this generous gift to our fire science program. This announcement is proof of the many great partnerships that we enjoy with companies and organizations that hire our students,” added Denson.
The Pleasant Hill ladder truck joins an ambulance and pumper truck that DMACC purchased a few years ago. Pleasant Hill’s Fire Chief and former DMACC student, Jamie Xayavong said her community recently purchased a new ladder truck and rather than selling it to another community, the city council unanimously endorsed donating it to the College.
“This is good for everyone involved,” said Chief Xayavong. “DMACC fire science students will train on a unique piece of equipment while all of the metro fire departments will interview graduates with a more well-rounded training experience.”
The fire truck was manufactured by Toyne in Breda, Iowa. It sells new for $1.6 million.
Chief Xayavong is the first full-time female fire chief in the metro. She encouraged women of all ages to explore fire science as a career. “It’s not an easy profession for men or women, but its very rewarding,” she said. Pleasant Hill currently has 13 female firefighters on its staff of 39 in the department. DMACC Fire Science classes start on the Ankeny Campus on August 24.