Today, the City of Carrollton officially handed off a former retired Carrollton Fire Rescue (CFR) ambulance to Creekview High School in support of the Fire Academy and Emergency Medical Technician Training program as well as the Diesel & Heavy Equipment program.

The donation of the retired ambulance will allow Fire Academy students to receive first-hand experience treating a patient inside a simulated ambulance ride. Additionally, students in the Diesel & Heavy Equipment program will be able to complete hands-on work maintaining the vehicle.  

"The generosity and support from our community continues to amaze me," Dr. Wendy Eldredge, Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District superintendent, said. "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.”

Photo Courtesy of Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD

Carrollton Donates Retired Ambulance to CFBISD Fire Academy
Post Date: 5/9/25 8:21 A.M.

The City of Carrollton entered into an interlocal agreement in September 2023 with the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) for Carrollton Fire Rescue (CFR) to support and staff a Fire Academy and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Program at Creekview High School (3201 Old Denton Road). To further the partnership, the City of Carrollton is donating a former retired CFR ambulance. CFBISD recognized CFR’s donation at the May 1 school Board of Trustees Meeting.

“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,” Carrollton Fire Chief Michael Thomson said. “The idea for donating a retired ambulance began in 2024 when CFBISD approached CFR to discuss transforming a large storage area into a full-size engine bay. The ambulance will support both Creekview High School’s Fire Academy and Diesel & Heavy Equipment programs.”

CFR retired this former front-line ambulance in 2019 and converted the unit’s interior into a rolling classroom in September 2020, but due to COVID-19, and changes to CFR’s EMS education program, the more than 19-year-old ambulance was retired for good. With the formation of the Creekview Fire Academy, CFR saw an opportunity to find a use for the unit, donate to a good cause, and enable students to receive first-hand experience treating a patient inside a simulated ambulance ride, instead of students learning in a static classroom environment. 

The diesel-powered ambulance will also be available to be worked on by students in Creekview High School’s four-year Diesel & Heavy Equipment program and allow students to complete hands-on work keeping the vehicle operational and in good condition.

For more information, visit creekview.cfbisd.edu and search Fire Academy, or email CFR Apparatus Operator/Paramedic and Lead Instructor Christopher Holterhoff at holterhoffc@cfbisd.edu.