COMMISSIONER SCOPPETTA JOINS THE NEW YORK STATE HONORARY FIRE CHIEFS ASSOCIATION TO PRESENT SECOND ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
December 22, 2008: Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta and Chief of Department Salvatore J. Cassano joined the New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Association at FDNY Headquarters to present the second annual NYSHFCA scholarship award to FDNY Firefighters Andrew Antoni and Andrew Dinkel IV.
“These firefighters ambition represents the best of the FDNY, said Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta. “I applaud their drive, and hope these awards make their lives a little easier.
The New York State Honorary Fire Chiefs Association (NYSHFCA) scholarship is awarded to members of the Department who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program and have goals of enhancing their value to the FDNY through education. The recipients of the $2,500 awards were chosen after a rigorous selection process, which included an essay detailing how the degree would be used to contribute to the Department.
“This is huge, it opens up opportunities to do more, said Firefighter Antoni, who is studying for a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. He said he is concentrating on power generation and learning more about alternative energies.
NYSHFCA President Michael Hill and David Gold, Esq., Chairman of the NYSHFCA scholarship program, presented the awards. Firefighter Antoni is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering. Firefighter Dinkel is pursuing a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Emergency Management. 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.