GETAWAY — Earlier this month Collins Career Center received a nearly $19,000 grant from Lowe’s and Skill USA.

The grant will be used to upgrade a house on the school’s campus and turn it into a facility that can mimic the conditions of a typical house fire.

“The house has been on our campus for years,” Steve Dodgion, CCC superintendent said. “The upgrade will allow the house to be used for training. Our law enforcement, medical and forensic students will all be able to benefit from it.”

The facility will also serve as a training site for first responders in Lawrence County.

“The fire stations, EMTS, EMS, and paramedics in the county will be using the site to upgrade their skills,” Dodgion said. “Law enforcement will also have access to it so they can better serve the citizens of Lawrence County in the capacity their careers have taken them.”

Finding ways to help its students and the community, as a whole is something Collins Career Center takes pride in Dodgion said.

“The career center is always interested in helping the county at large,” Dodgion said. “Simply because we see ourselves as members of this community and intend to serve it in any capacity we can.”

Lowe’s and Skill USA teamed up to award various grants in each of the 50 states, with Collins Career Center being the only recipient in Ohio.