Professional Firefighters of Nevada Announce Scholarships

The purchase of special license plates by firefighters has resulted in 28 Nevada high students getting a little help on fulfilling their dream of attending college.

Rusty McAllister,  president of the Professional Firefighters of Nevada, announced today that 10 students who submitted essays on how they will use their education to benefit their community will receive a $1000 scholarship, funded by the purchase of the special license plates.  In addition, each of the organization’s 18 local affiliates gave a  $500 scholarship to a student in its region.

These were the first scholarships given as a result of the license plate fund. McAllister said the scholarships will continue to be presented annually as long as funds permit.

The essays were judged by a  team of legislators headed by Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley and including Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, who chairs the Assembly Education Committee and Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, who serves on the committee. Both Parnell and Stewart are former teachers.

Buckley commended the firefighters for the scholarships and said she was impressed by the quality of the essays.

“We have so many bright, talented young people whose parents are struggling in this economy to send them to college,” said Buckley. “I can think of no better use for these funds than to help these students fulfill their dreams.” 

Here is a list of awardees for $1,000.00 dollar scholarships, you will be contacted by the Public Education Foundation in the next few weeks.

Kellie Cluff	Foothill High School
Spencer Grimes	Homeschooled
Kate Jessop	Attending UNR
Jared Joerger	Faith Lutheran Jr/Sr High School
Brooks Klein	Sierra Vista High School
Mashara Munns	Galena High School
Ryan Odiorne	Calvary Chapel Christian School
Madison Phelps	Truckee Meadows Community College
Steven Pilcher	Robert McQueen H.S.
Randy Queen	Mojave High School

PFFN Benevolent Association

East Fork Fire and Paramedic Districts was selected as one of the sites to have the new IAFF Frontline Safety course delivered.  Class size is limited to 24 students.

Please see attached flyer for more information

If you have questions about the course contact John Bellona at 775 450 3178.  To sign up for the class you must contact Kathy at the East Fork Office 775 782 9040.

 
REID MEETS WITH THE PROFESSIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS OF NEVADA

Washington, DC – Nevada Senator Harry Reid met today with members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada to discuss Reid’s support for a bill that would allow collective bargaining for public safety employees, as well as grant programs that allowed for improved equipment, training, and increased staffing. 

“These local heroes are working under enormous stress at this time of economic downturn and state budget shortfall,” said Reid. “I am proud to support these brave men and women by continuing to fund important programs that allow them to serve the public of Nevada.”

SUGGESTED CUTLINE:  Senator Harry Reid meets with members of the Professional Fire Fighters of Nevada.

Rusty,

Here is a fundraiser right up your alley.  My local, Cheyenne Local 279 is doing a fundraiser this year and I will attach a flyer.  Please pass it on to your local and the rest of the Nevada Firefighters.  I will be at the Leg. Conference next month with plenty of tickets.  Info is also on the state web-site.  http://www.fffwy.org/

Take Care,

Joe Fender

I have attached a letter that was received by the PFFN thanking L-1265. We would like to extend our gratitude to L-1265 for their extension of Brotherhood. When you see President Joe Warner thank him of behalf of all Nevada Locals. Thanks Joe for taking the extra step for all our brothers & sisters in the IAFF.

Fraternally,

PFFN E-Board

Hello,
 
I just wanted to take a moment to explain some details of recent events and how one IAFF Local has stood up and shown what Brotherhood is truly about!
 
My Dad and his Wife (Dixie) live in the Reno/Sparks area and have been down there for a number of years.  On September 14th I was contacted by My Dad's Wife (Dixie) and she stated that some things were going on and they needed some help down there.  So I took a last minute trip down on the 15th (very expensive with no notice)  I Spent two days down there and I thought things were going pretty good.  After I returned home we stayed in phone contact and it sounded like things were remaining in a good condition.
 
On the night of October 13th I received a phone call from a Detective at Sparks PD.  He stated that earlier that day my Dad and is wife were found dead in there apartment.  You can imagine my shock and disbelief.  I know nobody in that area.  Dixie has three sisters that live in that area but I had no contact with them.  I didn't know what to do or how I could arrange anything down there.
 
The last resort I had was to contact the Reno/Sparks IAFF Local with some hope that they could provide some type of assistance if needed.  You can imagine my hesitation with doing this since speaking of personal matters with an individual that you don't even know can become stressful.  I contacted Joe Warner, IAFF President for Local #1265.  And from there all I can say is WOW!  Such professionalism from an individual was astonishing. 
 
Joe was a stand up guy and stated that he would make himself or one of his Local members available anything at any time.  I mean he didn't know me from Adam and he is going to make a statement like that!  I couldn't relay my gratitude to him enough, and the only thing he would say in return was "I know any of the Brothers nationwide would do the same thing for us!"  This truly opened my eyes to what the Brother hood is about!  We all walk around and call each other Brother but damn the guys from Local #1265 put that to meaning! 
 
I was unable to make it down to take care of anything due to other issues here at home that I was dealing with.  My sister went down and Joe was there for anything she needed just as he said.  It turned out through some communication issues (not on Joe's part) that my Sister and Joe did not connect at the airport but he remained in phone contact with her for the couple of days she spent there.  To me it goes beyond what was actually done.  It is what he and his Local were prepared to do.  I cannot convey how strong I feel about this in writing.  This was a shocking tragic event that happened to one family, Local # 1265 stood up as part of that family to extend any help needed.  
 
Well Luke that is my story, I don't know what else to say.  I can tell you that I am sending their Local some gifts from my family in appreciation.  From where I stand this is a huge deal! I just can't say enough about how much their approach to this has affected me.  I know that I could have gotten this type of response from my Local or your Local or KCFR's Local, but you guys all know me, these were complete strangers with only one thing in common.  That one thing is the word "BROTHERHOOD".  Well I can certainly tell you that I truly know what that one word means now!  
 
I am not the greatest writer and this is still an emotional sore spot with me right now, so if you need anything further from me you know how to contact me (or do you).  If you need more specifics or details I would be happy to grab some coffee with you at your request (I will buy).  I have contacted you about this because I believe the Local that extended a hand to me deserves some serious recognition thru the State and National level and your the man when it comes to that!  Again it was IAFF President Joe Warner from Local # 1265.
 
 
Thank You,
Rich McMinn
Lieutenant/Paramedic
Northern Lakes Fire
Local # 4045


We should all take note of the actions of this brother from another state that at a moments notice took care of one of ours and his family. Remember this when a brother/sister needs help. Think about what it really means to be part of this group all across the country. Thanks Rich for sharing this with all of us.

Submitted by Pichette