The National Volutneer Fire Council
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC), in partnership with Baskin-Robbins®, has selected 10 outstanding junior firefighters to receive a $5,000 scholarship through the National Junior Firefighter Program. This was the second year that the program has honored ten exceptional applicants with scholarships.
“We are thrilled with the number of high quality applications we received from juniors and Explorers nationwide,” said NVFC Executive Director Heather Schafer. “It was a difficult task, but the Scholarship Review Committee ultimately selected 10 applicants who serve as truly inspirational examples of what it means to be a junior firefighter. These 10 individuals have gone above and beyond in their dedication to the fire and emergency services. We are proud to partner with Baskin-Robbins to award these scholarships.”
Junior firefighters and Explorers from across the U.S. and Canada applied for the 2009 scholarships. Awards were selected based on intent to continue in the fire service, how junior firefighting has impacted the applicant, and financial need, among other criteria.
“Baskin-Robbins is pleased to join the National Volunteer Fire Council in rewarding these selfless students for their commitment to fire service,” said Srinivas Kumar, Global Brand Officer for Baskin-Robbins. “These ten junior firefighters exemplify a deep commitment to keeping their communities safe.”
The NVFC has also partnered with the Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation to provide ten $5,000 grants to fire departments to help further develop or expand their local junior firefighter program. The deadline for the grant applications is August 15. Learn more and apply at www.nvfc.org/juniors.
The National Junior Firefighter Program and Baskin-Robbins thank every junior firefighter and Explorer who applied for one of the competitive scholarships. The 10 recipients of the scholarships in alphabetical order are as follows:
Edward Ball
Bloomingdale, NJ
Bloomingdale Fire Department
A junior firefighter for over three years, Edward was the first junior from his department to become a regular member of the department. Edwards plans on attending the University of New Haven (CT) majoring in Fire/Arson Investigation and Fire Administration.
Tyler Cegielski
Channelview, TX
Channelview Volunteer Fire Department
Tyler has been a junior firefighter for three years, after spending several years as the department’s unofficial mascot. He is currently taking EMT classes at San Jacinto (TX) Community College, where he is planning to major in Emergency Medical Technology or Public Administration.
Reeve Chilton
Lake Elmore, VT
Elmore Fire Department
A junior firefighter for more than four years, Reeve completed his Firefighter I course as a senior in high school, while also working part-time and staying active in his junior firefighter program. Reeve plans to major in Mechanical Engineering at Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY.
Brittany Forsstrom
Jamison, PA
Warwick Township Fire Company
Brittany has served as a junior firefighter for three years and was named her department’s 2009 Junior Firefighter of the Year. Brittany will be living and volunteering at a local fire station while attending Millersville (PA) University, where she plans to study meteorology with the goal of becoming a firestorm meteorologist.
Katelyn Hall-Garrant
Montross, VA
Oak Grove Volunteer Fire Department
A junior firefighter for more than six years, Katelyn is currently serving as the Captain of her junior firefighter program. She is currently working on her Firefighter II certification. Katelyn plans to attend Rappahannock Community College in Warsaw, VA, where she will major in Paramedic Science.
Zachary Kues
Heathsville, VA
Callao Volunteer Fire Department
Zachary has been a junior firefighter for over two years. In addition to volunteering at the station, Zachary volunteers at the local YMCA and as a Little League coach. He plans to attend Bridgewater (VA) College majoring in Health and Physical Education.
Sierra McKinney
Lock Haven, PA
Citizens Hose Company No. 5
Sierra has served as a junior firefighter for more than four years while also working part-time and maintaining Honor Roll status every semester. Sierra is planning to get a degree in Fire Science at Bucks County (PA) Community College.
Joseph Petrone, Jr.
Erie, PA
Kuhl Hose Company
A junior firefighter for more than two years, Joseph is a fourth-generation firefighter. He will be part of the first response team at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, FL, where he plans to study Aerospace Engineering and receive flight training.
Brittany Smith
Bridgeport, NY
Bridgeport Volunteer Fire Department
Brittany has been a junior firefighter for more than four years and is currently serving as her junior firefighter program’s secretary. She shadowed both a nurse practitioner and a physician’s assistant in 2008 to help prepare her to enter the nursing field. Brittany plans to become a member of the Brockport Fire Department as she attends the State University of New York College at Brockport, with a major in Nursing.
Kelly Smith
Williamsville, NY
Williamsville Fire Department/Hutchinson Hose
A junior firefighter for more than three years, Kelly received EMT training before her eighteenth birthday so that she could become a full member of the department as soon as possible. Kelly plans to attend the University of Albany, where she will major in Business Management.
About the NVFC and National Junior Firefighter Program
The National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC) is the leading nonprofit membership association representing the interests of the volunteer fire, emergency medical, and rescue services. The NVFC serves as the voice of the volunteer in the national arena and provides invaluable tools, resources, programs, and advocacy for first responders across the nation. The NVFC National Junior Firefighter Program provides departments and youth with the resources, tools, and information they need to help develop, grow, enhance, promote, and participate in a local junior firefighter program. The program addresses retention and recruitment challenges by getting youth involved in the fire and emergency services, thus fostering a lifelong connection with the emergency services that will continue throughout their adulthood. Learn more at www.nvfc.org.
About Baskin-Robbins
Named the top ice cream and frozen dessert franchise in the United States by Entrepreneur magazine’s 29th annual Franchise 500® ranking, Baskin-Robbins is the world’s largest chain of ice cream specialty shops. Baskin-Robbins creates and markets innovative, premium ice cream, specialty frozen desserts, and beverages, providing quality and value to consumers at more than 6,000 retail shops in 35 countries. Baskin-Robbins was founded by two ice cream enthusiasts whose passion led to the creation of more than 1,000 ice cream flavors and a wide variety of delicious treats. Headquartered in Canton, Mass., Baskin-Robbins is part of the Dunkin’ Brands, Inc. family of companies. For further information, visit www.baskinrobbins.com.
About the Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation
The Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation brings together a wide network of stakeholders, including our Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins franchisees, crew members and employees, to support those who serve in our communities. The focus of the Foundation is emergency response organizations and child-related causes. The goal of the Foundation is to help ensure that those heroes we depend on during a disaster have what they need to rise to any occasion, and to make a positive impact on the lives of children in the communities that we serve. To learn more about the Dunkin’ Donuts & Baskin-Robbins Community Foundation, please visit www.dunkinbrands.com/foundation.