Press Release

Seven volunteer firefighters will be the first recipients of scholarships from the Community College of Allegheny County under a program created to boost volunteerism in municipal fire departments.

The firefighters will begin classes in the fall as part of the county’s Fire Volunteer Education, Service and Training (Fire VEST) Program created through a partnership between Chief Executive James C. Roddey, CCAC, Allegheny County Fire Academy, and Step Forward Volunteer Initiative.

The seven scholarship recipients are:

• Michael A. Fashian, Jr. of McKees Rocks, a junior firefighter with the Moon Run Volunteer Fire Department in Robinson Township;
• Garrett K. Kimmell of Plum, a firefighter with the borough’s Unity VFD;
• Daniel E. Ridenour of Bethel Park, a firefighter with Library Volunteer Fire Co. in Bethel Park;
• Steven M. Schwab, a junior firefighter with West Mifflin VFC No. 3;
• Wesley S. Semple, Jr. of Ross Township, a junior firefighter with the township’s Berkeley Hills Fire Co.;
• Douglas Trathowen, Jr. of Plum, a firefighter with Unity VFD; and
• John M. Wilson, a junior firefighter with Moon Township VFC. 

More awardees may be named shortly.

Chief Executive Roddey launched Fire VEST after meeting with fire chiefs from all the departments in the county. They told Roddey they had difficulty attracting and retaining volunteer firefighters.

  “Fire VEST will not only strengthen efforts by the fire departments to retain volunteers, it also provides these brave, selfless individuals with a quality education,” Roddey said. “Also, at a time when the region is struggling to retain young people, we are hopeful this scholarship program will provide an impetus to persuade some younger adults to remain here and be a vital part of the region’s economic and cultural development.”

  “We’re glad our scholarships inspired these young citizens to get involved in their communities.  We hope a CCAC education helps these young people start new careers or gain the education they need to advance in their current jobs,” said Jack Chielli, CCAC director of communications.

“Volunteer firefighters provide an essential service to the residents of this county and it's time for us to give something back,” Chielli added. “CCAC is glad to partner with the county and the fire academy to do its part.”

Fire VEST offers full tuition scholarships toward an associate’s degree or certificate program at CCAC’s four campuses or nine college centers located throughout the County.   In return, awardees must commit to serving at least five years as a volunteer firefighter.

All but a few fire departments in Allegheny County rely on volunteer firefighters. More than 860,000 of the county’s 1.2 million residents are protected by volunteer firefighters. Roddey estimated that volunteer firefighters save the county more than $60 million annually in public safety costs.

Contact: Margaret Philbin, (412) 350-3711;   Pager: (412) 750-5070