Fire Engine Donated to Hawai’i CC Fire Science Students

Hawai’i Community College Fire Science students and instructors from the Fire Science and Diesel Mechanics programs stand with the fire engine, donated recently by the Honolulu Fire Department. Back row: Matthew Winters, left, and Jacob Smith. Front row, left to right: Fire Science Instructor Jack Minassian, Kawai Ronia, Jayce Ah Heong, Michael Rangasan, and Diesel Mechanics Instructor Mitchell Soares. Hawai’i CC courtesy photo.

Hawai’i Community College was one of two University of Hawai’i campus recipients of Honolulu Fire Department donations.

A surplus fire engine and equipment that previously served Oahu’s Pearl City community was donated to Hawai’i CC by the HFD.

“We are very grateful to the Honolulu Fire Department for donating the engine and to Young Brothers for shipping the engine to Hawai‘i Island for free,” said Hawai‘i CC Interim Chancellor Joni Onishi. “This will provide new learning opportunities for our students as they prepare to enter the workforce.”

In 2005, Hawai’i CC began to offer Fire Science classes, and the program received its permanent status in 2013 from the UH Board of Regents. The Fire Science program has since become one of the most popular on the college campus with 102 current majors.

“This fire engine will be a great teaching tool,” said Hawai’i CC Fire Science Instructor ­Jack Minassian. “For example, students in the fire hydraulics class will be able to practice providing proper water pressure and proper gallons per minute on a fire while using real equipment.”

Graduates of Hawai’i CC’s Fire Science program have been employed within federal, state, and local fire service agencies, according to Minassian.

Hawai’i CC also has a transfer agreement with Colorado State University, offering graduates of the program the opportunity to enter CSU’s online Bachelor of Science in Fire and Emergency Services Administration program.

According to Minassian, two Hawai’i CC graduates have completed their Bachelor of Science degrees through the program and another six are currently enrolled.

Honolulu Community College also received a retired fire truck from HFD. The truck was given to the school during a Thursday morning ceremony.

In addition to the truck firefighting equipment, a 10-foot ladder, multiple nozzles, adapters, lights, a toll for forcible entry, and chain saws were given to Honolulu CC.

Students in the diesel mechanics programs at both schools will provide upkeep and maintenance of the two fire engines.