MOUNT VERNON — The Knox Technical Center Public Safety Program will be the recipient of a donated ambulance from the Mount Vernon Fire Department.

Following Monday night’s city council meeting, the city approved the donation of a 2008 ambulance to the program. The ambulance is a first for the EMT portions of the program which trains individuals to be emergency medical responders and emergency medical technicians. Dana Philips, Public Safety Coordinator, said the vehicle will be very useful and practical for the program.

“It will be used for everyday training, working with (the vehicle) instead of being in the classroom,” Phillips said.

He said it would help with education and hands-on training, getting the students out of the classrooms. Training includes working with patient movements in and out of the vehicle, general knowledge of the mechanics and getting familiar with being in an ambulance.

“We’re very appreciative of the fire department and city for their support,” Phillips said about the donation.

Phillips reached out to Fire Chief Chad Christopher last week in regards to the EMS/Medic vehicle that had recently been replaced. In the email, Phillips writes that the “program could greatly benefit from” the donation of the vehicle. The ambulance, Phillips said, would further give the EMT training program a local advantage when marketing the program to potential students.

Phillips is unsure of exactly when the program will receive the vehicle but when it does arrive, classes can start making use of it.