Canaveral Port Authority Donates Fire Truck to Eastern Florida State College

The Canaveral Port Authority formally handed over the ceremonial keys to 'Truck 52,' an aerial ladder fire truck that had been operated by Canaveral Fire Rescue, to Eastern Florida State College (EFSC) for its Fire Training Center. The ceremony took place at Port Canaveral, where Port Canaveral CEO Captain John Murray and Canaveral Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Jeff Crawley presented a ceremonial key to Jack Parker, Vice President of External Affairs at EFSC.

The vehicle, formerly known as 'Canaveral Fire Rescue Truck 52,' is a 2012 model 75-foot Pierce Velocity ladder truck that had been acquired by the Canaveral Port Authority and operated by Canaveral Fire Rescue. During its 14 years of service, it responded to nearly 7,000 calls throughout Brevard County, as part of Port Canaveral's mutual and automatic aid agreements with 26 communities and federal facilities such as the Kennedy Space Center, NASA, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Patrick Space Force Base and the U.S. Navy's Naval Ordnance Test Unit (NOTU).

Captain Murray noted that the truck served the port community well and will continue to serve by training the next generation of firefighters and first responders. For his part, Chris Quinn, Fire Chief of Canaveral Fire Rescue, stated that although the truck's assignment is changing, its mission of serving others remains the same, and expressed pride in taking part in handing over the apparatus.

The truck will be incorporated into EFSC's emergency response and firefighter training programs, giving students the hands-on experience needed to obtain Florida state firefighter certification. In addition to an associate degree program in Fire Science, the institution offers a training center, a Fire Fighter I/II certification program and continuing education courses to sharpen professional skills. Dr. James Richey, President of EFSC, expressed his gratitude to the Canaveral Port Authority and Canaveral Fire Rescue for the donation.

The Pierce Velocity ladder truck has a pumping capacity of 2,000 gallons per minute, a 400-gallon tank, and can carry up to 1,000 feet of five-inch hose. Built in Appleton, Wisconsin, its 75-foot aerial ladder offers nearly 68 feet of horizontal reach, allowing instructors and students to carry out high-angle rescue exercises, firefighting operations and aerial work. Port Canaveral had previously donated firefighting equipment in past years, including a Pierce Lance truck and a tanker truck to the Monticello Volunteer Fire Department in Jefferson County, Florida.