The City of Carrollton donated a retired Carrollton Fire Rescue (CFR) ambulance to Creekview High School last week, significantly bolstering the school’s Fire Academy, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Automotive programs. A send-off event for the ambulance took place Thursday, July 10, attended by CFBISD Trustees, CFR responders, City officials and district staff.

The ambulance will provide Fire Academy students with direct experience treating patients in a simulated environment, offering a practical alternative to traditional classroom learning. Additionally, students in the automotive program will gain valuable maintenance skills by working on the vehicle’s engine.

The collaboration between the City of Carrollton and CFBISD to establish and staff a Fire Academy and EMT Training Program at Creekview High School began in September 2023. The idea for the ambulance donation originated in 2024 when CFBISD approached CFR about converting a large storage area into a full-size engine bay.

“The desire for both parties was to establish a student Fire Academy based on a professional curriculum of Fire Academy and EMT classes through full integration of high school and college coursework plus post-education, professional training,” said Carrollton Fire Chief Michael Thomson.

This specific ambulance, a former front-line unit, was retired by CFR in 2019 and repurposed as a rolling classroom in September 2020. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in CFR’s EMS education program, the more than 19-year-old vehicle was fully retired. With the formation of the Creekview Fire Academy, CFR saw an opportunity to utilize the unit, allowing students to gain realistic experience in a simulated emergency setting.

The diesel-powered ambulance will also serve as a practical learning tool for students in Creekview’s four-year Diesel & Heavy Equipment program, enabling them to perform hands-on maintenance and keep the vehicle operational.

"The generosity and support from our community continues to amaze me," said CFBISD Superintendent Dr. Wendy Eldredge. "This donation will provide students with valuable hands-on training, leaving an invaluable impact on our Fire Academy and Automotive programs. We are grateful to the City of Carrollton and proud of our shared commitment to student success.”