Fire Lieutenant Receives Scholarship Awarded by NYSHFCA
2008 The FDNY could have been called “the Smartest on December 3 as the New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Association (NYSHFCA) presented a newly endowed scholarship to Fire Lieutenant John Leimeister of Battalion 17.
“Lt. Leimeister demonstrates the discipline and commitment we want to see in all our firefighters, said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta during the ceremony at FDNY Headquarters. “He wants to see how he can do more to support the FDNY and make it stronger.
Lt. Leimeister, a 9-year veteran of the FDNY, is pursuing an associate’s degree in Fire Services and a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management. He was chosen to receive a $2,500 award after a rigorous selection process, which included an essay detailing how the degrees would be used to contribute to the Department.
“We don’t just fight fires anymore – today the job requires a more well rounded firefighter, Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano said. “We applaud all our members who are working to better themselves.
Established in 1950, the New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Association is a non-profit organization that supports firefighters and their families in New York City and throughout the state. The group awards several scholarships to children of firefighters annually and sponsors the New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Medal and the Shelly Rothman Medal, which are awarded each year on FDNY Medal Day.
During the ceremony, officials from the Association announced that in 2008, they will be awarding two scholarships to FDNY members like the one given to Lt. Leimeister.
“What better way to reward firefighters who are advancing their career, NYSHFCA President Don Epstein said.