FIVE-ALARM DONATION L.A. GIVES FIRETRUCK TO COLLEGE PROGRAM.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - A fiery transfer of power took place Friday afternoon at College of the Canyons, when Los Angeles Fire Battalion Chief John Drake parked his shiny red engine in front of the campus and handed the keys to college President Dianne Van Hook.

``Where's the dalmatian?'' Van Hook, wearing a helmet emblazoned ``COC Fire 1,'' asked as she was coaxed into the driver's seat.

The surplus 1982 Van Pelt Fire Engine was donated by the city of Los Angeles to the college for use by fire technology students, who now will be able to transfer their classroom learning into hands-on practice.

``Right now, we have only classroom instruction,'' said Steve Dixon, chairman of the program. ``It's all learning and literally no doing. Now students will be able to learn how to handle hoses, tools, ladders and the engine. This gets us over the biggest hurdle and helps us better prepare students for the fire academy and give them a giant advantage.''

Drake, a program instructor, said the donation has been a long time coming. Warning Van Hook not to accidentally set off the siren (``if you run the siren and the truck's not running, you have to buy everyone ice cream''), he showed her how to test the rotating lights atop the cab. As she looked over the dashboard, college maintenance worker Vance Pelland was the first one to get up on the chrome fender in the back.

``Let's check this out,'' he said, as he opened compartments to peek inside. ``Can we get on now? We want to ride it.''

``Early in the college's history, we made a commitment to train firefighters and law enforcement officers,'' Van Hook said, surrendering her white helmet to Dixon. ``This engine is symbolic of our commitment to be partners with the critical agencies that serve our community.''

Drake said that getting the engine for the school involved a two-year campaign of letter writing and working through bureaucracy. Los Angeles Councilman Tom LaBonge approved the transfer, acknowledging the college's vast training programs that benefited most of the fire agencies in Southern California.

``This will really benefit the 400-plus students in the program,'' Drake said. ``Having the engine will supplement the curriculum; they will get hands-on experience in pumping and working the engine. It's a win-win situation for everybody; there's a tax advantage for the city and the students get a more well-rounded education.''

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

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2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) A retired Los Angeles Fire Department engine is delivered to the College of the Canyons campus on Friday.

(2 -- color) College of the Canyons President Diane Van Hook climbs aboard the firetruck that will be used for training classes.

David Crane/Staff Photographer