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MCCTC seeks state grant to help train current, future firefighters
By Denise Dick
CANFIELD
A grant sought by Mahoning County Career and Technical Center would allow students and area firefighters safe training in a modern facility.
Ron Iarussi, superintendent of the career center and Mahoning County Educational Service Center, said the center is applying for a state Straight A grant to build a fire tower at MCCTC.
The tower, a two-to-three-story structure, would be shared with the center by Austintown, Beaver, Berlin, Boardman, Cardinal Joint, Ellsworth, Green, Springfield and Western Reserve fire departments, said John Zehentbauer, MCCTC assistant superintendent.
Chief Andy Frost III of Austintown Fire Department said there’s a need for such a facility so surrounding departments develop a cooperative to work with the career center.
“It’s safe, live training,” Frost said. “One of the best things we can do for young kids is to provide live training so they’re ready when they get hired.”
The center provides live burn training now, but the tower will offer even more safety features. The tower will include automatic temperature control, for example, Frost said.
If a fire gets too hot, it can be turned off immediately, preventing safety concerns.
Fire towers are propane-fueled and constructed from noncombustible material.
“It allows kids to go in for session after session,” he said.
Burning “old houses are pretty much a thing of the past” for training, the fire chief said.
Issues such as asbestos and other environmental concerns make it cost- prohibitive.
Center personnel expect to learn by late January if the request for the $833,000 grant is approved. State Straight A grants are designed to fund creative, innovative ideas to improve education.
Iarussi said the tower also could help reduce insurance rates for residents of the participating communities because of the enhanced training.
The tower also could be used to teach Mahoning County elementary school students – at a distance – Zehentbauer said.
Frost agreed.
“It’s a win for the communities, the school, the fire departments and the students,” he said.