Firefighter program scholarship available

Prospective firefighters have until Dec. 15 to apply for the Poplar Bluff Fire Department Scholarship to Three Rivers College Fire Academy. Classes start in January.

“Our department is going to grow in the next few years,” said Poplar Bluff Fire Chief Mike Moffitt. “We want to promote it and make it an attractive career field for people of our area. Our goal is to send one individual through our fire science program at Three Rivers per year. We will have them submit an essay to us and we will have our own review board. We’ll then determine who will get the scholarship.”

The scholarship also will help promote emergency services careers with the college, Moffitt said.

“We want to encourage young people from this area to pursue a career in emergency services, whether it be here in Poplar Bluff or somewhere else. We’d like them to stay here,” the chief said.

Last year, the first scholarship recipient was Trey McDaniel of Williamsville. McDaniel’s award was presented in honor of Walter Weaver, the only Poplar Bluff firefighter killed in the line of duty.

The college’s fire science program is a hybrid of online curriculum and hands-on training.

Those interested in the scholarship must fill out an application and write an essay about a Missouri firefighter line of duty death.

Applications may be picked up at Fire Station 1 or printed from the Poplar Bluff Fire Department scholarship Facebook page.

The essay and application must be mailed to Fire Station 1 at 300 S. Broadway, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901 or emailed to pbfdhq@pbfire.org.

Information about Missouri firefighter deaths in the line of duty can be found online at the National Institute for Occupantional Safety Hazards page on cdc.gov, as well as firehero.org, NFPA.org (The National Fire Protection Association) and USFA.fema.gov.

The applications and essays received by the deadline will be reviewed by a committee who will select an applicant to come in for an interview, reference check and background check.

The scholarship will pay for TRC classes Firefighter I, Firefighter II and HazMat Awareness. Anyone already enrolled in the upcoming semester’s classes may apply for the scholarship. Those not enrolled should check with the college regarding enrollment requirements by contacting an advisor at 877-879-8722, emailing enrollnow@trcc.edu or visiting trcc.edu/apply/.

Among those involved in raising funds to benefit the scholarship are Haffy’s Sports Bar & Grill and Buffalo Wild Wings. Haffy’s held Music Bingo fundraisers and Buffalo Wild Wings contributed a portion of the business’ sales one day. A few individuals sent in donations, and a spokesperson said the fire department appreciated the support from the community. Anyone who wants to donate to the scholarship fund may contract the Poplar Bluff Fire Department.