Security Dealer and NBFAA Team for Firefighter Scholarships

July 11, 2005
$10,000 in scholarships given to children of firefighters

The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) and Security Dealer magazine proudly honor two sons of active firefighters, awarding $10,000 in college scholarships to the two finalists, David Eichler, Mountain Lakes, N.J. and Jason Fariss, Pfafftown, N.C.

The scholarship recipients were chosen based on grade point average, SAT/ACT test scores, extracurricular activities, and a written essay on “How Your Parent Helps Us Secure Our Community.”

First-place winner Eichler was awarded $6,500 to use toward his education. He will be attending Brown University in the fall. Fariss will use his the second place award of $3,500 for higher education expenses at the University of North Carolina. After placing first in their state associations’ scholarship contests, Eichler and Fariss, who are both junior firefighters, became eligible for the national award.

Created in 1996 to promote goodwill among the electronic systems industry and police and fire officials, this program provides college scholarship awards to deserving sons and daughters of police and fire officials.

“As an association we are responsible for working with, and supporting, public safety professionals across the country, and that responsibility extends to their families as well. It is an honor to work with Security Dealer to help secure the futures of these two very accomplished young men,” said Merlin Guilbeau, NBFAA executive director.

Peter Harlick, publisher of Security Dealer and volunteer firefighter, believes that the youth scholarship is an excellent opportunity to give back to first responders and their families. By selecting two junior firefighters as the recipients you couldn't have chosen better candidates. These young men give back to their communities in ways that many don't see. I spend a good deal of time training our own junior firefighters in the Village of Mineola on Long Island. When our juniors turn 18 they jump at the chance to fill the ranks of our own department; the wealth of training and knowledge that they bring is invaluable."

Read David Eichler's first place essay.