Lexington Park’s Bay District Fire Company has been donating equipment for over 10 years. This past Monday, June 8 at the Forrest Technology Center in Leonardtown that effort came to fruition as Dr. Michael J. Martirano arrived in a newly refurbished 1983 E One 1500 gallon pumper truck.

“This generous donation by the Bay District Fire Department has greatly benefited numerous programs at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center,” said Dr. Michael J. Martirano, superintendent of schools.

“Not only does the fire truck provide hands-on experience for the fire rescue students at the ForrestCenter, but because the truck had engine problems at the time of the donation, it allowed the diesel program students to repair an actual diesel engine. In addition, the students in the graphic arts department designed the Forrest Center logo proudly displayed on the side of the fire truck.”

Joe Gould, Bay District Assistant Chief stated, “We bought that truck in 1983 and it served us well until 2006 when we purchased a newer truck and placed this one into reserve.” The fire chief stated that the older truck blew a head gasket and that Forest Technology Center’s Diesel Technology students worked to repair the engine.

The effort came together when Tommy’s Service Center in Waldorf donated a diesel block and the students were able to make the necessary repairs.

“They did a great job fixing it,” said Gould. “It ran real sweet today.”

The truck was donated to the school because the Forrest Center recently implemented their EMS Fire Prevention program and the Bay District Fire Department staff wanted the students to have experience working on a fire truck.

Gould went on to say that Bay District has donated many pieces of equipment since the fire company started doing so 10 years ago. “We recently donated a 1973 Imperial Ladder Truck to a fire company in Brockway, SC. The company needed the equipment and did not have the money. Now that truck is in service as Truck 8 for them.