Flagler Beach Volunteer Fireman’s Association Awards Scholarship

The Flagler Beach Volunteer Fireman’s Association announced Firefighter / Paramedic Michael “Dusty” Snyder has been selected as the recipient of the Association’s annual Emergency Services Scholarship.  Snyder will be using the scholarship to take advanced course work in Firefighter Survival Techniques.  He is a full-time paid member of the Flagler Beach Fire Department with one year of prior service to the agency as volunteer firefighter before he was hired. During that time Snyder logged more than one thousand hours of volunteer service to the agency and continues to be an active member with the FBVFA.

The $500.00 scholarship is awarded each year based on applications received from individuals wishing to further their education in any Emergency Services related field such as law enforcement, firefighting, and EMS.  Selection criteria is based on a short written essay, financial need, and service to the community.  To be eligible, applicants are required to volunteer at least 24 hours of their time with an agency in the field they wish to pursue or have a current affiliation with an emergency services agency as a volunteer or employee.  This requirement is usually met in the form of “ride-along” programs with a fire or law enforcement agency or through the volunteer services programs at area hospitals.  “The idea is to make sure that applicants with an interest in this field have some exposure to the environment we work in, before we invest in their education”, said FF/EMT Roy Johnson, President of the FBVFA.  “This is a tough and sometimes dangerous profession, very trying both physically and emotionally.  It takes a special type of person to do this work.  It’s not for everybody.”

This is the third year the Emergency Services Scholarship has been awarded by the FBVFA.  Past recipients have used the scholarship to successfully complete paramedic and fire school.  Applications for the scholarship are available at the Flagler Beach Fire Department, 320 South Flagler Avenue and will be accepted again starting in January 2013.  “I hope we can expand this program and do it forever”, Johnson said.  “Every person we get educated and certified is another person in our community that is prepared to help someone when they need it most.  The support we have gotten from our residents has been unbelievable.”

The Flagler Beach Volunteer Fireman’s Association is a not-for-profit organization established to support the Flagler Beach Fire Department and its members.  It was established in 1987.  For further information please contact Roy Johnson via e-mail at [email protected].  Anyone interested in learning more about firefighting and the opportunities available as a volunteer are invited to attend weekly training held at the Flagler Beach Fire Department, every Monday night at 7p or visit the association’s website at here.