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Melbourne Fire Department Donates Fire Engine to Eastern Florida State College Public Safety Institute

By  //  June 10, 2025

presentation was made at the June meeting of the EFSC Board of Trustees

Eastern Florida State College Vice President of External Affairs Jack Parker, left, and Steve Salvo, Dean of the EFSC Public Safety Institute, stand next to the fire engine donated by the City of Melbourne Fire Department. (EFSC image)
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Eastern Florida State College’s Firefighter Training program has twice been recognized as the State of Florida’s finest training program and continues to set the bar for exceptional recruit preparation throughout the U.S.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The City of Melbourne Fire Department recently donated a Pierce Custom Fire Engine to Eastern Florida State College’s Public Safety Institute.

The presentation was made at the June meeting of the EFSC Board of Trustees.

The engine was donated to ensure new recruits in the College’s Fire Academy, and veteran firefighters participating in advanced training have the tools they need for training in multi-engine fire rescue operations and training scenarios.

“Together, our local fire departments and Eastern Florida State College have a strong partnership,” said Melbourne Fire Chief Chuck Bogle.

“It is important for us to help ensure the College has the tools they need to prepare our recruits to respond in an emergency and be prepared to save lives. We cannot do what we do without the superior training EFSC provides to our firefighters.”

Representatives from the City of Melbourne Fire Department, including Deputy Fire Chief Shane Leech, Melbourne EMS Chief Phil Leitz, and Training Chief Payton Jones, were recognized by Eastern Florida State College President Dr. Jim Richey and Board of Trustee members Chair Ronald Howse, Vice Chair Dr. Edgar Figueroa, and Winston Scott for their generous donation of a used Pierce custom fire engine. (EFSC image)

Due to the cost of new fire engines, municipal and county fire departments have opted to use their existing engines as long as possible.

The lack of used vehicles has made it challenging for fire training centers throughout the nation to acquire the equipment needed to provide the highest quality professional, comprehensive training to recruits and veteran firefighters.

“We are extremely grateful to the City of Melbourne and the Melbourne Fire Department for this generous donation and their commitment to our Fire Academy,” said College President Dr. Jim Richey.

“Our longstanding partnership is highly valued and has been mutually beneficial to both our students and our community. This engine will ensure high-level training for the firefighters of the future.”

Eastern Florida State College’s Firefighter Training program has twice been recognized as the State of Florida’s finest training program and continues to set the bar for exceptional recruit preparation throughout the U.S.

Find out more about the program at Easternflorida.edu/go/fire or call 321-433-5707.