The city of Knoxville and KFD donated a retired fire truck to Fulton High School on Nov. 15, 2023, to be used in the school’s fire management program.
The fire truck will be a permanent part of the school’s program and will provide real-life experience to the students. The truck is a 1997 Emergency One Hurricane Pumper with a 500-gallon water tank that once served the Bearden community as Engine 18.
Mayor Indya Kincannon said the truck will help train the next generation of emergency responders.
“We are excited about this program as it fosters young potential firefighters and EMTs right here in Knoxville,” said KFD Chief Stan Sharp.
“This truck will allow students to apply classroom knowledge and practical experience,” said Mark Wilbanks, assistant chief of the Knoxville Fire Department.
Fulton High School is one of eight high schools that are part of the 865 Academies initiative, which aims to empower high school students with the necessary skills to allow them better integration into the labor market. Fulton High has three academies – the Academy of Communications, the Academy of Health and Human Services, and the Academy of Public Service. The fire management program falls within the public service academy.
Fulton High School’s retired fire truck
Fulton students inspect the fire truck
Neighborhood activist Ronnie Collins was there and posted 50 or so photos on social media along with a video of the fire truck being driven down the hill at the city’s new public safety complex, formerly St. Mary’s Medical Center.
Collins said Fulton has a long history of employees with KFD, “along with several chiefs.”
The Knoxville Police Department has a working relationship with the Fulton High School criminology courses, Collins said.
“The students were very excited to receive the truck. Chief Sharp was very happy to finally make this happen. He told me it had been in the works for several years. Mayor Indya Kincannon was given a tour of the classroom by the students.”
Fulton High School and the Alice Bell/ Spring Hill Neighborhood Association could not have a stronger advocate than Ronnie Collins. We appreciate his photos and quotes for this story.