The International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation recently awarded Emergency Services Scholarships to career and volunteer firefighters and explorers to further their education and knowledge to advance the fire service.
“Everyday, it becomes more and more evident that not only are our emergency responder’s key to the safety and well-being of our community, but that the skill set needed to serve communities is increasingly defined and technical,” said Foundation President Anthony Campisi in making the announcement. “I am delighted we can extend the well-being of our citizens by providing additional educational opportunities to our emergency responders.”
This year, the scholarship award recipients include:
- Michael Alexander, Danville, Ind.
- James Armstrong, Roanoke, Va.
- Robert Bachler, Wauconda, Ill.
- Tyler Baines, Louisville, Ky.
- James Clark, W. Palm Beach, Fla.
- Chad Cope, Berwick, Pa.
- Bret A. Desh, Garland, Neb.
- Patrick Gericke, Oak Forest, Ill.
- Chad Jacobson, Roseau, Minn.
- Scott McDowell, Elkhart, Ind.
- Matthew P. Murray, Broomall, Pa.
- Ellie Plate, Soldotna, Alaska
- John Shields, Aston, Pa.
- Lawton C. Smith, Thunderbolt, Ga.
- Josh Stefanic, Palatine, Ill.
- John Thomas, Hammond, La.
- Samuel Walters, Lakewood, Colo.
“These important awards are made possible with the support of forward-thinking individuals and companies that support the IAFC Foundation scholarship program,” added Campisi. “Without their support, our educational goals could not be met.” This year’s donors include:
- Chief Randy R. Bruegman, IAFC president 2002-2003
- Director George Danz
- Draeger Safety, Inc.
- Duo-Safety Ladder Corporation
- Eastern Division IAFC
- Fire-Dex, Inc.
- International Association of Fire Chiefs
- Chief William D. Killen, IAFC president 2005-2006
- King-Fisher Company
- L.N. Curtis & Sons
- Chief Mary Beth Michos
- Paratech, Inc.
- Chief Willie G. Shelton
- Dennis Smith/Foundation for American Fire Fighters, Inc.
- Spartan Motors, Inc.
- Super Vacuum Manufacturing Co. Inc.
- TNT Rescue Systems, Inc.
- Tyndall Air Force Base Department of Defense Charity Golf Outing
- VFIS
- W. S. Darley & Co.
- Waterous
Organized by the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the Foundation was chartered as a separate non-profit organization in 1974. The primary purpose of the foundation is to promote higher education and research in the fire sciences and to provide this information to the fire service community. For more information about the Foundation or the scholarship program, go to www.iafcf.org or send an e-mail inquiry to foundation@iafc.org.
For more information about how you can help support first responders who wish to further their fire service education, call Judy Kirk at 703/273-0911 ext. 330 or send an e-mail inquiry to jkirk@iafc.org.