Texas Border Business
McALLEN, TEXAS – Whether it’s a local school district or business looking for fire extinguisher training for their custodians, or fire departments looking to train their firefighters on the procedures in the event of a gas leak, South Texas College Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence (RCPSE) continues to offer new and exciting options for those seeking essential safety training.
STC RCPSE recently purchased and received a new training vehicle that will enable additional training for students. The equipment is set to enhance their skills in the Fire Science program as well as Continuing Education courses.
Equipment props consist of the fire car itself, along with a special pan that can be used for fire extinguisher training, and a flange used for training in the event of a gas leak.
STC RCPSE staff, assisted by the fire academy cadets conducted a live fire demonstration on May 5, which marked the launch of the new equipment, according to STC RCPSE director Jose Moroles. The event was attended by several fire agencies to receive first hand knowledge on the training props.
STC is now among only 16 in the state with the equipment, Moroles said.
“This is open to people like custodians with the school districts or businesses with their employees who can come and perfect the way on how to properly use fire extinguishers in the event they need to address a fire at their location,” Moroles said. “Overall, at the end of the day, this is valuable training that we are truly fortunate to have at South Texas College’s Center for Public Safety Excellence to provide for everybody in the Valley including those statewide.
“We are hoping that all these agencies can reach out to us for training, or we can also make plans to take the training to them,” he said.
Sara Lozano, STC Dean of Business, Public Safety and Technology says this is just the start of a partnership with local entities that hints at big things for the future in the region.
“We invested in this equipment to support fire trainings at the Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence,” Lozano said. “It is just part of our commitment to bringing exceptional training to the Rio Grande Valley. With the support of our local entities and the partnership we have with the City of Pharr, we know that this is just the beginning of greater things to come!”
Implementing the new equipment goes back to one of the key priorities established by former STC president Dr. Shirley A. Reed, who emphasized the regional portion of STC’s RCPSE, according to Moroles.
By following Dr. Reed’s example, STC interim president Dr. David Plummer said he continues to support this goal.
“Today’s demonstration of our new equipment is an excellent example of how South Texas College and its STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence continue to identify equipment and training needs that support our fire safety professionals,” Dr. Plummer said. “We have established good rapport with our regional fire departments who continue to assist the STC Regional Center for Public Safety Excellence in this endeavor, and we look forward to providing these opportunities in our academic programs to enhance the skillset of our next generation of fire safety professionals in the region.
“The better prepared, and the better trained they are, the safer our communities will be,” Dr. Plummer said.
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