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IAFC Foundation Announces 2009 Scholarship Winners

Awards Help First Responders Further Their Fire Service Education

The IAFC Foundation’s Board is pleased to announce that $30,000 is being awarded to 33 first responders representing a range of departments and ranks to further advance their fire service education.

In these difficult economic times, the IAFC Foundation increased its total level of support for first responders seeking advanced education. The IAFC Foundation helps ensure current and future leaders of the fire service are well educated and prepared to address the complex issues faced in the fire and emergency services.

Thanks to the Motorola Foundation, we were able to make several awards for the Motorola Foundation Future Leaders Scholarship Fund. (for more information, visit http://www.iafcf.org/MotorolaLeaders1stAnnualWinners.htm)

The Heather Westphal Memorial Scholarship Award benefiting women in the fire service went to Christine Fazio(for more information, visit http://www.iafcf.org/HWestphalmemorianwinner.htm).

 

The Garry L. Briese Scholarship Award, also made possible with support from the Motorola Foundation, goes to Lieutenant Richard Petersen with Manteno Community Fire District in Illinois.

 

 

Lt. Rick Petersen

Lt. Petersen

The award sponsored by the IAFC’s Federal Military Section goes to Lieutenant Daniel E. Manley with Fort Bragg Fire and Emergency Services and Stoney Point Volunteer Fire Department in North Carolina.

These deserving volunteer and career first responders were also selected to receive educational scholarships:

  • Firefighter Nicholas Brooks with Atlas Township Fire Department (MI).
  • Lieutenant Edward Carter with Georgetown County Fire EMS (SC)
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Joseph Fagan with Bolingbrook Fire Department (IL)
  • Firefighter Charles Frey with Central Mat-Sun Fire Department (AK)
  • Firefighter Brian Gettemeier with Cottleville Fire Protection District (MO)
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Brett Hartwig with the City of Freeport Fire Department (IL)
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Michael Heimbecker with the Lombard Fire Department (IL)
  • Division Chief Michael Hoag with Chesapeake Fire Department (VA)
  • Lieutenant Stephanie Julazadeh with Spartanburg Fire Division (SC)
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Joseph Lafftery with Shawnee Township and German Township Fire/EMS (OH)

 

Chris Leier

Asst. FF/Engineer Leier

  • Assistant Engineer/Firefighter Chris Leier (right) with College Park Volunteer Fire Department (MD)
  • EMT Charmaine Rice with CyFair Volunteer Fire Department (TX)
  • Fire Chief Joseph Tanner with City of Georgetown ( SC)
  • Lieutenant Justin Tirelli with Arlington County Fire Department (VA)
  • Driver/Operator Fritz Wiedenhoff with Northern Lakes Fire District (ID)
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Jamie Wilkey (right) with Lemont Fire Protection District (IL)
  • Senior Firefighter Jimmy Willis with Williston Fire Rescue (FL)

Jaime Wilkey

FF/Paramedic Wilkey

  • Reserve Firefighter Tear Sy Yean (right) with Pullman Fire Department (WA)
  • Firefighter/Paramedic Nick Zamiska with Brecksville Fire Department and Valley Fire District (OH)

Tear Sy Yean

Reserve FF Yean

The Reed Elsevier Foundation made it possible for the IAFC Foundation to award scholarships to the following young Fire Explorers:

  • Matthew Carmack with Gales Ferry Fire Company (CT)
  • Michael Cote with Palm Beach Gardens Fire Rescue (FL)
  • Dillon Houser with Lincolnton Fire Department (NC)
  • Patrick Kellam (right) with Fort Oglethorpe Fire and Rescue (GA)

Patrick Kellam

Patrick Kellam

  • Kate Kotecki (right) with Vigant Fire Company (NY)
  • Joshua Lowe with Dekalb Country Fire and Rescue (GA)
  • Samuel Smith with Winston-Salem Fire Department (NC)

Kate Kotecki

Kate Kotecki

  • Kevin Lehberger (right) with Ashland Fire Department (MA)

Kevin Lehberger

These educational awards are made possible with support from individuals, foundations and fire-service-related companies who understand and appreciate the value and necessity of an agile, educated and versatile first responder workforce.

You too can help ensure that first responders have the education needed to lead the fire service and respond to the challenges faced every day. Donate through the IAFC Foundation’s online donation form.

For more information about the IAFC Foundation or how to apply for a scholarship, please go to www.iafcf.org or contact Jennifer Cooke at jcooke@iafc.org.