COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA — Iowa Western Community College (IWCC) is proud to announce the donation of a fire engine from the Council Bluffs Fire Department (CBFD), further strengthening the long-standing partnership between the two organizations and enhancing hands-on training opportunities for students in the Fire Science program.
The engine, a 2000 Pierce Pumper, was officially delivered to IWCC this week and will provide students with access to professional-grade equipment used in real-world emergency response.
“This generous donation from the Council Bluffs Fire Department is an incredible investment in our students and our community,” said Dr. Dan Kinney, president of Iowa Western Community College. “Providing access to real-world equipment like this fire engine ensures our students graduate with the skills, confidence, and experience needed to succeed.”
The engine has a distinguished history within CBFD. Known as Engine 31, it served as the department’s frontline engine at headquarters from 2000 to 2015, responding to every fire in the city during that time. It also carried the department’s primary extrication equipment and earned a reputation as one of the most reliable engines in CBFD’s fleet. Over the past decade, it has continued to serve the department as a standby engine.
The donation reflects the strong and collaborative relationship between CBFD and Iowa Western which includes EMS ride-time training, continuing education for EMS providers, and shared use of facilities for hands-on training and instruction.
The addition of the fire engine will significantly enhance IWCC’s Fire Science curriculum by allowing students to learn concepts in the classroom, practice skills in controlled settings, and apply them in realistic, scenario-based training.
With the engine, students will be able to simulate emergency response scenarios from gearing up and boarding the apparatus to arriving on scene and deploying hose lines. The equipment will also provide critical hands-on experience in operating the pump and understanding the principles of hydraulics and water flow in real-world applications.
The donation underscores a shared commitment between Iowa Western and the Council Bluffs Fire Department to prepare the next generation of first responders and ensure the safety and well-being of the communities they serve.
For more information contact: Molly Noon, Iowa Western Vice President of Institutional Advancement, 712-325-3306, mnoon@iwcc.edu
