DONATED FIRE TRUCK–Retired Fairview Heights firefighter Daniel Lougeay of Marissa, right, and his son, Southwestern Illinois College Fire Science Program Coordinator Curt Lougeay, stand with the 1963 fire engine that Daniel recently donated to the SWIC Fire Science Program. The truck will be used by fire science students for hands-on learning at the SWIC Fire Science Center in Belleville. SWIC Photo by Jim Haverstick.
Retired Fairview Heights firefighter Daniel Lougeay of Marissa, has made an in-kind donation of a fire truck to the Southwestern Illinois College Fire Science Program. The 1963 retired fire engine will be used by fire science students to learn how to operate a fire hose pump, as well as other things.
“Being able to help the next generation of firefighters become the best they can be, not only for themselves but for the safety of the public is what matters,” said Lougeay. “It also feels good to be able to contribute to one of the best fire science programs in our area.”
Lougeay bought the truck from the Willisville Fire Department in 2002 and used it for parades and antique fire truck shows. The truck will be located at the SWIC Clay Baitman Fire Science Center, located at 1521 Freeburg Ave. in Belleville, where all the fire science courses are offered. The fire science program graduates more than 30 firefighters annually.
For more on this donation, please see this week’s print edition.