City of Du Quoin donates 1976 fire truck to RLC

INA, Ill. (May 2, 2014) - The City of Du Quoin donated a 1976 fire truck to Rend Lake College this morning to help RLC continue to provide quality firefighter training for local emergency responders.

Du Quoin Fire Chief Bob Shaw said, “We think Rend Lake College has a good program, and we send our firefighters here for training every year. We purchased a new truck this year, so the city council agreed to the donation. We’re happy to be able to give back to a program that has helped us train.”

The City of Du Quoin donated an old fire truck to Rend Lake College Friday morning to be used for fire training. Pictured is, FROM LEFT, Mining Department Administrative Assistant Kacie Hunter, RLC Dean of Applied Science Chris Nielsen, Du Quoin Fire Chief Bob Shaw, Du Quoin firefighter Ron Rains, and RLC Mining Technology Instructor Charles Wingo. Click on the image for a larger view.
(ReAnne Palmer / RLC Public Information)

The truck had belonged to the Du Quoin Fire Department since it was bought new nearly 40 years ago. Dean of Applied Science Chris Nielsen expressed his gratitude to everyone involved for the donation.

“The College wants to thank Chief Shaw and the entire Du Quoin Fire Department, Mayor Duncan, the city council, and the town of Du Quoin for this generous donation,” he said. “We look forward to utilizing it to help teach local firefighters from all over Southern Illinois when they come here to receive training.”

Fire fighter training is held once a week at RLC. The same trainees often return to RLC to help teach coal mine fire brigade teams.

RLC Foundation CEO Shawna Manion added, “This truck is going to be a great tool for our students to continue to learn, making it a vital resource to Rend Lake College and the communities these firefighters serve.”

To learn more about fire training at RLC, contact the Applied Science and Technology Division at 618-437-5321, Ext. 1261.