Brian Chellios Memorial Scholarship

Being in the fire service has been a dream of mine since childhood. Most of my imaginative play time was about being a firefighter. I loved dressing up in my snow pants which represented my turnout pants. I put on my big, puffy, winter jacket to be my turnout coat. I wore my ski mask, put on a bike helmet, and fought the fire. It was awesome. Today, I am joyful to live out my childhood dream. I served the City of Wisconsin Rapids as a firefighter/paramedic. In total, I have been in the fire service for five years. The fire service to me, at the surface, is about putting out the fire, performing HAZMAT operations, vehicle extrication, high and low-angle rescue, boat operations, and many more disciplines. In the middle, it is about living for something beyond one's self. It is about going out of your way to make someone's bad day a good day. At its core, the fire service is about remembering the past generations, learning from what they experienced, and carrying the principles forward into the future. With these principles, we learn to adjust our practices to better the safety of the community. We strive to be excellent in every way and proficient in every discipline. The fire service is about raising the next generation of firefighters to carry the torch forward into a better service worldwide. It is no easy feat to be a firefighter. While anyone has the potential to be a firefighter, it takes a driven and passionate person, keen about details, and ready to bring the best of who they are to the community they serve. It takes a disciplined person to continually practice the disciplines that are not often used due to the frequency of the calls. However, a firefighter must always be ready for the call to action. It takes a person with a desire to be better than who they were yesterday. This person must always be learning how to be a better firefighter. A firefighter must be able to talk kindly and politely, even when they are not treated that way. A firefighter must be ready to serve beyond themselves, even if it means what is most valuable. Humility and integrity are paramount to a good firefighter. The fire service has many disciplines. It has people who serve beyond themselves. It has the learned values from past generations with the drive to learn more. The person who desires to be a firefighter must be able to master these areas.

As the child of a firefighter and a member of the arson task force, I grew up surrounded by the values and challenges of the fire service. I watched my dad leave for work early, prepared to face situations that most people hope never to encounter. Those moments taught me the true meaning of courage, sacrifice, and service. For me, belonging to the fire service means being part of a team that protects the community with unwavering dedication. It means standing in the face of danger to save lives, preserve property, and offer hope when people need it most. The fire service is not just a career—it’s a calling that requires a unique combination of physical endurance, mental toughness, and emotional resilience. I’ve seen firsthand how much discipline and commitment it takes. Firefighters need to stay calm under pressure, work seamlessly in high-stress environments, and make critical decisions in a matter of seconds. To make it in the fire service, you must have the heart to serve others selflessly, the strength to endure difficult conditions, and the humility to rely on your team. One of the qualities I admire most about firefighters is their ability to adapt to any situation. Fires don’t follow a script. Each call presents new challenges, and firefighters must think quickly to respond effectively. That adaptability is something I strive to embody in my own life, whether it’s balancing school, work, and my dual enrollment studies or preparing to meet the demands of public safety. Another critical aspect of the fire service is education and training. Growing up, I heard my dad talk about how ongoing learning was essential to staying safe and effective on the job. That perspective inspired my own curiosity about fire science, particularly in areas like arson investigation. For example, when I worked on a project about gasoline-related fire patterns, I realized how much knowledge and precision it takes to uncover the truth behind a blaze. This emphasis on education not only fuels my passion but also strengthens my respect for those in the fire service who dedicate themselves to constant improvement. Belonging to the fire service is more than wearing a uniform or responding to emergencies. It’s about being a role model in the community, someone people can trust during their darkest moments. It’s about showing compassion when someone has lost everything and celebrating victories, no matter how small, like rescuing a pet or saving a family photo from the ashes. To make it in the fire service, you need to care deeply about others and be willing to give your all, even when no one is watching. You need grit, teamwork, and a genuine commitment to the greater good. These are qualities I aspire to every day as I work toward my goal of joining the field of public safety. The fire service is not just a job—it’s a legacy, one I hope to be a part of as I follow in the footsteps of those who inspire me.