“The roles, responsibilities, and educational requirements of firefighters and emergency medical responders are constantly evolving in order to meet the demand of today's emergency services environment. Recognizing that a secondary education will help me achieve a leadership position within my department led me to enroll in college and build upon my existing college degree to meet these demands. The generous scholarship from the International Association of Fire Chief’s Foundation will allow me to continue my education and better prepare myself to become a leader within the fire services community.” - Drew Abel

“I couldn't be more thankful and honored to be awarded this scholarship! The Melville Fire Department Explorers Program has made such an impact in my life. Serving as an officer, has given me many opportunities to play a part of society.  As Captain, the experience has  provided me with the confidence  that I can help anyone, and serve as a leader to my peers,  and  become someone other juniors look up to. Therefore, I’m humbled by IAFC’s recognition. Thank you so much!” - Jeannet Vargas

“I would like to thank the International Association of Fire Chiefs for choosing me to receive the 2019 John M. Buckman, III Scholarship. It is an honor to be selected and a privilege to be able to use the scholarship to further my fire service education and career with Fargo Fire Department. This financial assistance will aid me in completing my final year at Lakes Superior College for a degree in Fire Service and Administration. I cannot say enough how fortunate and grateful I am for receiving this scholarship.” - Nathan Adams

“Thank you to the International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation for awarding me with a 2019 Educational Scholarship. This award will assist me in my pursuit of obtaining my Master of Science Degree in Leadership with an emphasis in Home Land Security. This educational pursuit will equip me with the necessary tools and experience to proactively lead the Southern Marin Fire District into the future. I am a firm believer of being a life-long learner and that leaders should continually demonstrate “what right looks like”. Formal academic pursuits, like a master’s degree, are important elements of that path. I am honored and humbled to have been selected in 2019, thank you.” - Matthew Barnes

“I am extremely grateful to the IAFC and I am honored to receive this scholarship. I believe that education is a fundamental underpinning for progress and I am committed to sharing anything I learn to improve the fire service.” - Jeff Buchanan

“It is an absolute honor to be chosen as a recipient of the 2019 IAFC Educational Scholarship. I look forward to the opportunity to work towards a degree in Fire Administration and use the knowledge I gain to further serve my community. My family and I give our sincerest thanks to the IAFC for their consideration and financial support.” - Brandon Burke

“Being selected for this scholarship award is not only an honor, but will make a big impact on furthering my education as a first responder. This scholarship affords me the opportunity to continue in my chosen career, growing as an individual while giving back to the community.” - Jackson Cantrell

“The IAFC Foundation Educational Scholarship is a great honor to receive and I am truly grateful in receiving this scholarship. I will be able to continue my studies towards my degree in Public Safety Management with the help that I have received from the IAFC Foundation.” - Thomas Conley

“I am very grateful for being chosen to receive the 2019 IAFC Foundation Educational Scholarship. As I near the end of my degree program, I know the scholarship will have helped alleviate the financial burden of higher education, and in turn, allow me to acquire the tools necessary to best manage the fire department.” - Patrick Connor

“This scholarship is extremely helpful to me to continue my education. While taking classes to finish my bachelors degree I am faced with the decision of taking out loans to finance my education or take breaks from classes in order to save money. This scholarship allows me to continue on the path of receiving my degree which in turn allows me to better help the citizens of my community.” - Bernard de Hoog

“I am honored and humbled to have been selected as a recipient of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation Scholarship. This scholarship will assist in the pursuit of my Master’s Degree in Organizational Leadership and Public Administration. I am very appreciative for the financial support of the International Association of Fire Chiefs Foundation. I look forward to applying the knowledge and experiences obtained in my educational pursuits, having a positive impact on the fire service and paving the way for the next generation of firefighters.” - Richard Edwards

“I am extremely grateful to receive this scholarship. I appreciate your investment in my future in the fire service. This money will allow me to continue to work towards achieving bachelor’s degree. ” - Colin Ehlert

“Being notified that I was a recipient of the IAFC Foundation Scholarship award was very humbling. The Salisbury (MD) Fire Department’s training and education budget strain each year to meet the educational needs of its members. Receiving this honor will not only allow me to further my own education, it will extend the department’s financial resources to allow for additional educational opportunities for other members of the SFD. This is a “win-win” for me, my department, and the citizens we serve who will ultimately benefit from the education and training derived from this award. I cannot thank the IAFC enough for providing me and my department with this honor an opportunity.” - James Gladwell

“Words cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity. This scholarship will allow me to show through my actions that I stand behind what I expect from the members of organization. If I can further my education and career, then there is no excuse not to get started. This will not only help mold me into a more effective fire chief, but help me build the foundation for the type of father I want to one day become. ” - Andrew Hawkins

“This scholarship opportunity allows for the continuation of lifelong learning. I am honored to have been selected to receive this scholarship. As it will allow me to continue pursuing and obtaining my educational and career goals.” - Joshua Henry

“As a leader in the Myrtle Beach Fire Department and a member of the SC Emergency Response Task Force, obtaining my BA in Emergency Management will enhance my ability to serve my local and state community. The generosity of the IAFC Scholarship program will ensure that I reach my goals and a higher, more efficient level of service is provided to the people we serve.” - Henry Hickman

“I would like to start by saying that it is an honor to be a 2019 IAFC scholarship recipient, and say thank you for the incredible generosity shown by the donor and the selection committee. This scholarship will be used to help in my pursuit of a Bachelor's Degree in Fire Administration, and will help me with my long term goals of becoming a fire officer. As a firefighter, and hopefully some day as an officer, I strive to pass my education, training, and experience along to junior firefighters. With that being said, my hope is that this scholarship will not only benefit me, but will benefit many. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!” - Douglas King

“It is a huge honor to be awarded an IAFC Foundation Educational Scholarship to pursue my graduate degree. This scholarship is a testament to the IAFC’s commitment towards developing the future leaders of the fire service and I am excited to have the opportunity to continue my education to become a progressive leader in today’s ever changing fire service.” - Jason Kinlaw

“I want to express my sincerest gratitude for being selected as the recipient of the 2019 IAFC Foundation Educational Scholarship. This generous donation will directly benefit my graduate studies in leadership and emergency management. The IAFC Foundational Scholarship will allow me to continue to learn from outstanding professors, and above all, pursue my academic ambitions.  Without your generosity, access to such an amazing education would not be possible. Thank you so much once again.” - Joseph Kosiorowski

“I certainly appreciate the consideration and support of the IAFC Foundation in this award.  The IAFC continues to provide support and exceptional opportunities for me, and many other fire officers, to grow professionally and to provide a strong future for our organizations and the fire service in general.  The support of this scholarship will help continue my progress toward a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership/Fire Rescue Executive Leadership.” - John Lawrence

“The award from the IAFC Foundation is critical to my professional development. The Scholarship will provide the resources I need to reach my educational goal, attaining a Bachelor’s Degree in Fire Service Administration. The opportunity will allow me to develop my leadership skills, with the purpose of better serving the Springfield Fire Rescue Division & the Citizens of my community.” - Brian Leciejewski

“This scholarship is a great asset in assisting me to achieve my educational goals in earning a masters of business administration in organizational leadership. I’m pursuing this degree, I hope to be able to become a better leader in the fire service. I would like to thank the IAFC for their generosity, and making this dream possible for me.” - Cody Lockwood