January 10, 2025 

Mount Joy, PA – Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) is proud to recognize its continued partnership with the Lancaster County Firemen’s Association (LCFA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to public safety education and training since 1921. LCFA recently announced it will cover the Academy’s $5,166.86 invoice from the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center for consumable costs in the year 2024. 

LCCTC’s Protective Services Academy (PSA) offers high school students hands-on training in firefighting, first responder operations, and emergency medical technician (EMT) procedures. LCFA funds certain essential training materials for the Academy, housed at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center. These materials, ranging from natural gas for fire simulations to wrecked vehicles for rescue drills, allow the Academy to provide students practical training without additional costs. 

John Sweigart, LCFA treasurer and a former PSA instructor, explained the nonprofit’s mission is to “provide education and training for firefighters and EMS, and fire safety education for the public.” He considered LCFA’s support of the PSA an investment in the wider Lancaster County community. 

In addition to covering training expenses, LCFA reimburses EMT testing fees for Academy students who pass the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. The community organization also awards a $4,000 scholarship annually to a Protective Services Academy graduate pursuing higher education or technical training in emergency services. 

Sweigart noted that “the sooner you can get people involved,” the better prepared and more well-equipped future first responders will be. 

To encourage student interest in first responder employment, LCFA grants Academy students and instructors free admission to its annual spring Fire Expo at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex. The Expo offers students a look at cutting-edge emergency services equipment and training opportunities with over 260 exhibitors and nearly 10,000 attendees. The event also provides students with opportunities for professional networking. 

Many graduates of LCCTC’s Protective Services Academy join local fire departments, EMS agencies, or 911 dispatch centers. Sweigart emphasized LCFA’s support plays a critical role in fostering the pipeline of skilled professionals who serve Lancaster County’s emergency needs. 

For more information about LCFA and its initiatives, visit https://www.lcfa.com/

About the LCCTC: The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) is a full-service career and technical school dedicated to preparing high school students and adults for careers in the new economy. Lancaster County CTC is best among its class and strives to meet the highest standards of quality instruction. For more information regarding our mission, programs, or initiatives, please visit lancasterctc.edu. 

Willow Street, PA – The Lancaster County Career and Technology Foundation (LCCTF) is excited to announce a $45,000 donation from EHD, following their 9th annual cornhole tournament on August 15, 2024. Held at EHD’s corporate headquarters in Lancaster, it hosted over 50 cornhole teams representing both colleagues and insurance industry partners. The event featured food trucks, DJ, raffle and cornhole play, all organized by EHD employees. 

Mike Malinowski, president and CEO of EHD, stated, “EHD is strongly committed to helping our local communities across the commonwealth. Our annual cornhole tournament is just another way we want to help support those organizations that provide vital resources to our community, like the services provided by the Lancaster County Career and Technology Foundation. While we have great passion for the professional services we provide to companies, it is great to give back and we are proud that this event alone, through the years, has raised over $300,000 to groups in Lancaster County.” 

This year, the Lancaster County Career and Technology Foundation (LCCTF) was selected as the event’s beneficiary. Funds from this year’s event will be used to provide new, state-of-the-art equipment for LCCTC programs and will support scholarships and workforce grants for graduating LCCTC students.  

“We are truly honored to be selected as the beneficiary of this 2024 EHD Cornhole Tournament.  These funds will go a long way in supporting the mission of the LCCTF to ensure the LCCTC has the materials, equipment, and funding to provide the best in career training for high school and adult students.  Thank you to EHD for another incredibly successful event that benefits the Lancaster community!” said Jennifer Baker, LCCTF Executive Director. 

LCCTC recognizes and appreciates event sponsorship by Travelers Insurance, Donegal, Strategic Benefit Resources, EMC Insurance, Capital Blue Cross, Benecon, and 22 additional carrier and vendor partners that made this event possible. 

Please find attached a photo of both LCCTC and EHD representatives, commemorating the donation. In the photo from left to right are Darryl Gordon, board president, LCCTF; Mike Malinowski, president and CEO, EHD; Jen Baker, executive director, LCCTF; and Jeremy King, principal, LCCTC Willow Street Campus. 

About the LCCTC: The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) is a full-service career and technical school dedicated to preparing high school students and adults for careers in the new economy. Lancaster County CTC is best among its class and strives to meet the highest standards of quality instruction. For more information regarding our mission, programs, or initiatives, please visit lancasterctc.edu. 

About the LCCTF: The Lancaster County Career & Technology Foundation was established in 2003 to support the students and programs of the Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC). The Foundation’s mission is to ensure that the LCCTC has the materials, the equipment and the funding to provide the best in career training for high school and adult students. 

The LCCTF raises dollars to support:

  • Funding for innovative, state of the art equipment, technology, supplies and materials; 
  • Financial assistance for students for uniforms, tools, certification fees;
  • Scholarships for post-secondary education;
  • Workforce grants for LCCTC graduates to obtain the tools and materials needed to enter the workforce and begin their career; and
  • Provide tuition support for adult students entering Advanced Manufacturing and Transportation programs. 

Learn more at lcctf.org.

Willow Street, PA – The Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) recently received funding through the Public School Facility Improvement Grant Program from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED). The award will support a critical roof restoration project across the Mount Joy and Willow Street campuses. The restoration project will replace trouble spots and test for mold; the newly restored roof can be expected to endure a 20-year lifespan.

“We’re grateful to be able to continue our roof restoration project,” said Tim Klein, director of facilities, LCCTC. “We had a seven-year plan, then with continual cost increases for materials and labor, it turned into an eight-year plan. We are thankful for the financial support.”

The DCED grant will fund 74.4 percent of the total project cost, making the restoration process highly cost-effective. Additionally, the restoration will be minimally disruptive to school operations. “Rather than replacing the entire roof, the cost includes application of liquid membrane restoration and new insulation on top of the existing roof materials,” noted Michael Moeller, supervisor of curriculum and special projects, LCCTC. “The project can be completed without closing school buildings or disrupting the educational day.”

In addition to providing a cost-saving alternative to full roof replacement, the restoration is intended to prevent mold growth by addressing leaks, wear and tear, and potential damage. “Restoration will ensure an additional 20-year lifespan for the roof,” Moeller said. He emphasized preventive maintenance will support the school’s long-term roof repair plan.

DCED, in its own press release, highlighted the competitive nature of the grant. The department recognized that $820.3 million in eligible projects competed for the available $175 million. “Competition for funds was very strong and the demand far exceeded the available funds,” DCED’s press release stated.

LCCTC’s proactive, long-term roof restoration plan ensures school funds can be used for other essential improvements while extending the life of its facilities.

About the LCCTC: The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) is a full-service career and technical school dedicated to preparing high school students and adults for careers in the new economy. Lancaster County CTC is best among its class and strives to meet the highest standards of quality instruction. For more information regarding our mission, programs, or initiatives, please visit lancasterctc.edu.

Willow Street, PA – The Lancaster County Career and Technology Center (LCCTC) thanks Ford Motor Corporation for its recent donation of a 2023 Lincoln Navigator, received on September 6, 2024. The vehicle will support LCCTC’s involvement with Automotive Career Exploration (ACE) student program, which connects high school automotive students to Ford factory service training.

Ford’s generous donation has been in the works for a little over six months. William Painter, Ford’s local representative, initially contacted Alan Wakefield, one of LCCTC’s Automotive instructors, to inform him that LCCTC had been selected as one of only six schools nationwide to receive a Lincoln Navigator donation. Wakefield has been working with the ACE program since its original establishment at LCCTC.

Before delivery, the donated vehicle was sent to New Holland Ford to be prepped for delivery with a full detailing. The Lincoln Navigator now exhibits New Holland Ford emblems to acknowledge the local dealership’s contributions to LCCTC. The official vehicle donation ceremony took place on September 6, 2024. Ford’s new local representative, along with its regional manager and the owner of New Holland Auto Group, were present to hand over the vehicle’s keys to LCCTC’s Automotive programs.

Jeremy King, principal of the LCCTC Willow Street campus, emphasized the donation will have a “huge impact upon our Automotive programs that will benefit student learning for years to come.” The state-of-the-art equipment will offer hands-on learning opportunities that will better prepare our Automotive students for employment in a modernizing industry.

About the LCCTC: The Lancaster County Career & Technology Center (LCCTC) is a full-service career and technical school dedicated to preparing high school students and adults for careers in the new economy. Lancaster County CTC is best among its class and strives to meet the highest standards of quality instruction. For more information regarding our mission, programs, or initiatives, please visit lancasterctc.edu.