Chief Lawrence J. Nemec Jr. Memorial Scholarship

I volunteer as a firefighter and EMT because I am lucky to be here today. I have been supported by my community for longer than I can remember, and I finally have the opportunity to give back. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was two years old. With the help of not only my parents and doctors, but my neighbors, teachers, coaches, friends and their parents, I have never felt excluded or unsafe. Because I have been blessed by growing up in such a supportive community, diabetes has made me stronger, more confident, and more passionate about giving back. Although in my fifteen years of being a Type 1 Diabetic I have never needed an ambulance, I have witnessed a friend have a seizure, and I have lost a friend in a terrible car accident. How is it that I have been so fortunate when others have not? I do not know the answer, but I do know that I want to be able to help others in their time of need. Perhaps that is why I first became interested in becoming first aid and CPR certified. From there, my passion for emergency response escalated. I learned in that certification class that I could begin volunteering at the fire station at age 16. I counted down the days. While Stony Point Volunteer Fire Company is not particularly busy, I have been able to respond to several calls and earn both my Fire 1 and EMT certifications in my first year of volunteering. I have experienced both the exhilaration of helping someone who is hurting and the feeling of helplessness when leaving the scene after not being able to do anything but be present. I have used a chainsaw right after a heavy storm to remove a tree blocking a road - and felt immensely appreciated by the people who could finally get to their destinations. I have responded in the middle of the night to a fire which turned out to be a false alarm - and felt inward anguish when I realized I was disappointed not to have an opportunity to assist in putting out a “real” fire when I should have been elated that no person or property was harmed. In all situations, I returned to my station where I was united with my fellow volunteers, a group from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds who bond like family over a common goal - to make a positive impact in our community by helping others. In my Fire class, I was one of the youngest students, and after training intensely for months, I led my peers during our final burn scenario. In this class, I learned how to work with other first responders as a team, taking the lead and following the lead of others. Just as my success in managing diabetes would not be possible without the support of those around me, success in responding to an emergency is reliant on fellow first responders supporting each other. Because of this class, I have gained confidence in myself, my ability to step back and accept feedback, and my ability to push forward and provide feedback. Through volunteering, I have gained an even greater appreciation for my own health and experiences. I have grown as an individual by serving my community, and the skills and knowledge I have learned extend far beyond fire and EMT training coursework. While there are many ways to make a positive impact, I am certain now that a career in the medical field, combined with volunteering, is in my future.

The feeling of holding a young child and carrying her out of a fire. The feeling of providing an elderly woman with an oxygen mask to help her breathe. The feeling of being thanked by a man who had been assaulted, as we get to the hospital. Those are the moments I remember. It's hard to be an EMT and firefighter, especially in an age like today. I have seen so many horrible car accidents and other incidents, it is hard to process it sometimes but I know I have to keep being a volunteer due to the needs of my community. As an EMT and firefighter, I have met people at their worst and most vulnerable times. I am glad I am there to assist them and make sure they get the care they have been searching for, on scene and then, at a nearby hospital. Being a volunteer makes the firefighting job even more rewarding as I focus on the people that need help and what has to be done, instead of the money. I have been a volunteer with the Berwyn Heights Fire Department for almost four years now. Everytime I decide to go into the firehouse for a shift, I am ready to put my skills to use. I am very proud to use what I have learned in the many classes I have taken through the state of Maryland. Being a volunteer is something I am very proud of and my family supports me all the way. I love my community and I show support by dedicating time to staffing the ambulance and fire trucks on my off time. I am very busy, as a full-time student and part-time worker, but still put time aside to head to the firehouse and help the people in my community. I have learned so much already and I continue to learn everytime I go on a 911 call. After taking an EMT class, I knew more than the average person about the human body. After taking a firefighter 1 class, I was able to identify and use all sorts of tools. After taking a hazardous materials operations class, I was able to react accordingly in case of a hazardous leak or a similar incident. After taking a firefighter 2 class, I knew more than just how to fight fire effectively, I knew how to assist the community in making their residences safer. Throughout all the classes and the four years of my service, I have made so many meaningful connections, with the patients, with the community leaders, with my fellow firefighters and EMTs. Being a volunteer at Berwyn Heights has been such a big part of my life. I even lived at the firehouse last year. I will never regret joining nor will I regret taking risks to save someone’s life.

I volunteer to protect my community and the people and land that are in it. As a kid I would always see these big red fire trucks driving past my house with lights and sirens rolling and I thought to myself I wonder what is going on and if everybody is okay. Now I do the same thing but I now know that I am the person in that fire truck. As a firefighter in my community I feel as if I can make change. With preserving lad during a brush fire. Or looking for injured people during a search and rescue. Or doing all I possibly can to protect somebody's house during a structure fire. Most times when I see kids on the sidewalks looking at the fire trucks as they roll by I know that in their head they are asking the same questions I was as a kid. And hopefully when they grow up they realize that they can make change happen. Being a firefighter has let me see the things that I could've ever seen as a normal person. It really opened my eyes into seeing what these people do for others with no hesitation is just amazing. This last year and a a few months of being not only a firefighter but also being a part of something bigger than myself is just great. Whenever the tones of my dads pager and mine drop, it just gives such an immense rush of adrenaline and having to drive to this call and just sit in my seat and think of a plan of execution is also something I never thought I would have to do. I also think it is crazy how I memorized where every tool on every truck is. This also ties in with hearing the dispatcher over the radio and having to think of what tool I would have to grab and who I would have to go to for directions and what is needed of me. Being a Volunteer Firefighter has given me a sense of brotherhood like no other. I need to have trust in all the people in my fire company. And all those people need to have trust in me. I think that trust and friendship/brotherhood are one of the most important things to have on a fire ground. You need to trust that your pump operator will give you the water needed. You need to trust that the commanding officers will get the recourses needed in order to have a safe and successful fire call. You also need to trust the people you have with you weather it be the hose team, search team. All these things are life saving but could also be life taking if not done properly. Doing all of this has made me feel as a part of something bigger than myself. I remember driving to my first Search and Rescue call. It was a man having cardiac issues. I remember turning to my dad and telling him that I was scared. He turns to me and says you could be the person to save this mans life. Just hearing those words something had clicked.

I volunteer for my fire department because I want to make a change in my community. I have had many experiences on calls where I have felt that I am in the right place. It is very intimidating at first trying to understand what you’re supposed to do as a first instinct in a time of crisis, but I have learned so much in a short amount of time. Although I am a busy student athlete who is in many clubs and activities, I make all efforts to try and help in anyway possible around the fire hall and participating in calls. I have been in the fire service for three years, and have completed Mods one, two, and three leading up to my Fire Fighter 1 certification requirements. I became interested in being a volunteer when I was 8 years old and represented my company as the little fire princess. Once I turn 18 in January, I plan to take Mod 4 and complete my burn evaluation. I have also taken CPR and HAZMAT Operations. With the certifications, I have also learned life skills that I see that are transferable into my every day life. All in all, I am in the fire service to better my community, myself, and the future generations. There is a need for firefighters in the service, and I have also raised awareness in my local community for the need of firefighters. My senior project that I am doing as a community service project is benefiting the fire company in attempts to promote not only the fire service as a whole, but also local businesses as well. I also volunteer as a legacy to my dad and my family. He has been a firefighter and EMT for 20+ years and I wanted to show not only him but also the rest of my family that being in the fire service can be a lifelong tradition, even if you’re not running into burning buildings. A prime example of that is my sister and my mom. They are both in the auxiliary in my fire department, who are in charge of fundraiser and bringing food/water to the first responders on the scene of an accident or call. Finally, I am in the fire service and a volunteer because I want to squash the stigma that only men can be firefighters and that there is more to the fire service then putting out fires.

Although EMTs are the ones who save lives, becoming an EMT saved my life. Being an emergency medical technician means that no day is the same. When we’re on the rig, my team works together seamlessly: administering oxygen, providing medication, offering comforting words to patients, or taking a moment to breathe after a particularly rough call. Some days we are faced with panic attacks or potentially broken bones. Others, with life-saving measures. I find fulfillment in helping those in need, particularly in underserved communities. Within these constantly-changing moments, I find purpose and belonging—in my work and in my own beautifully complex identity. During my freshman year of high school, I realized that I was attracted to both men and women. I initially saw my bisexuality as a challenge to overcome. Grappling with these complex emotions made me feel as if I was living a double life—and not in the cool, Peter Parker/Spiderman sort of way. But, rather than focusing on my perceived differences, I instead drove myself towards a more singular goal: increasing healthcare access and promoting a safer, more supportive environment for everyone. It was my dream to become an EMT. I threw myself into training, motivated by the chance to give back to the community. When I finally joined the ambulance corps, I was prepared (or so I thought). Going out on calls and meeting the people we were helping gave me a sense of purpose. To this day, whenever a patient holds my hand and thanks me for their care, I am flooded with joy. I was growing and developing professionally. But working with so many diverse patients and teammates had also started the change and acceptance bubbling inside of me. Outside of patient calls, spending time with my teammates was nothing less than transformative. I spoke to many of them, who had already come out, about my developing bisexual identity and their experiences with self-acceptance. I watched as JP, my captain, discussed his transition. When we attended the local Pride Parade as a group, I felt as though a weight had been lifted off of my shoulders. Seeing the hundreds of people in front of me, all waving relatable signs, gave me peace. I had never known that there were so many individuals in my town that were a part of the LGBTQ+ community, but this parade revealed the antithetical. It finally felt like I could balance the two biggest parts of myself in a meaningful way. Medical emergencies don’t discriminate. The people I see on my rig come from all different backgrounds and cultures. They have different beliefs and love different people. On the rig, I don’t have to worry about anything but making sure my patients are okay. I relate to them—facing a challenge that seems, at the time, overwhelming and sometimes unconquerable. And much like my team helped me, I hope to help others overcome the roadblocks in their path. I am beyond grateful that becoming an EMT has taught me to never be ashamed of my uniqueness. I am more committed than ever now to celebrating our many differences as strengths and to creating community, care, and acceptance for everyone.

Since long before I was born, the fire service has been a significant part of my family. Starting in 1972, Wilson Mills Fire Department has been a second home for generations of Medlin's. My great-grandfather was a volunteer and founding board member, starting the chain in which my family, generation after generation, followed and became volunteer firefighters. Ask anybody in the small community of Wilson Mills about the Medlin family, and they will tell you about the passion and service they have provided to the town. My dad and uncle are both now Captains. My older brother and cousin are volunteers as well. I am the youngest in my family, and I never showed much interest when I was a child. When the pager went off, I knew to say goodbye to my dad, and later on, my brother and I always remembered to tell them to be safe. When I reached the 8th grade and was preparing for high school, I was introduced to a program my new school would be offering. The Clayton High Fire Academy was a college credit and certification program that provided high school students with their fire certifications by the time they graduated. I applied and later told my father, who had been my biggest supporter throughout the process. He started taking me around the fire station more, wanting me to ensure I was interested before taking classes. I remember the first call I went on being a medical call, unconscious person. I wasn't allowed to touch, only observe, and I remember watching everything in awe. Unfortunately, the patient did not make it. My dad had sat me down and told me that not all calls are like this, but these will be the ones that stick. I will never forget that call, as it was not only my first one but also made me realize I wanted to become a member. I wanted to help people, and the fire service's medical side truly excited me. Now I am eighteen years old and have started college. Attending Campbell University, I am majoring in homeland security and minoring in emergency management. The fire and ems side of public safety will always be my home and first passion. Still, after four years of experience and much more to come, I have become interested in learning about the behind-the-scenes aspects of emergency services. After college, I plan on either working in local or state emergency management and will be able to concentrate on relief efforts after natural disasters. While I do not see myself ever being a career firefighter or EMT, I will always volunteer as a firefighter in my community. Helping others in my community gives me joy that is hard to explain if you do not experience it yourself. I am still young and new in this field, having not yet shared a quarter of what I will in life. I will see things that make me question why I chose to do this, and I hope I am prepared for that day. However, I will always have the support of my department and family for those days to come. I love being a volunteer because you gain so much more than experience and helping the community. You gain a whole new family and extended family. People who have known me my entire life I now work with every day. I will be there for a whole new generation of firefighters, and I hope my children will experience that support whether they volunteer or not.

On Memorial Day 2017, I received the call that no parent ever wants to hear. My 19-year-old son Alex had been in a head-on collision at highway speed, and was being rushed into surgery. A thousand emotions rendered me speechless as I listened to my sister, an employee at the hospital, tell me the gruesome details of his injuries. Every word she said seemed to pull me into a deeper state of shock. I was four states away, and there was no possibility of getting to him for many more hours. Then she said something that I will never forget. "It's pretty bad, but the ambulance got to him in time." Those words were like a lifeline, something I could hold on to. They kept me sane throughout the night as I waited for information and scrambled to get there. Somewhere, there was a team of people who literally scraped my son off the road and saved his life. They knew what to do, knew how to do it, and did it efficiently and professionally. They didn't know me, didn't know Alex, but because of them, I had hope--and my son had a chance at survival. I joined my local volunteer fire department a few months later. He's getting married in a few months, and it's because of a fire/EMS crew that he's here at all. I have proudly served as a volunteer EMT for the last five years, and I recently became an instructor. I'm incredibly passionate about training the next generation of EMTs, not just in medical knowledge and procedures, but in the incredible privilege we have to care for our fellow humans. They're not puzzles to be solved, they're people with stories and families and memories. Our work sometimes makes it possible for them to go on making new memories with the people they love, and there's no greater gift than knowing that we can make that difference. On my darkest day, an EMS crew gave my family hope. For me as a volunteer, every day is a chance for me to be that hope for someone else.

Breanne Smallberger November 4, 2022 Illini Bluffs High School Why am I a First Responder? In my sophomore year of high school, I decided to join my local volunteer fire agency and this is something that has changed my life for the better in ways that I never thought possible. My perspective of first responders as a whole has changed and it has opened my eyes to career paths I hope to pursue in the future. I currently serve on Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District, the fire and rescue service in the Hanna City, Trivoli, and Lake Camelot areas in Central Illinois. Being a part of this agency has allowed me to learn how to better serve my community through fire and EMS. Through all of these life-changing experiences, I have often faced the question of why. Why do I dedicate so much of my time to calls, trainings, and classes whilst also being a high school student? I started volunteering at this agency at the end of my sophomore year because I was looking for a way I could give back to my community and gain real-life experience that could help me in the future and better who I am as a person. Once I got accepted, I started running basic medical and fire calls, which soon progressed into me learning life-saving measures such as CPR, signing up for an emergency medical technician class that I am currently enrolled in, learning how to operate fire apparatus, and so much more. My volunteer experience at Logan-Trivoli has shaped who I am as a person and I believe everyone should have an experience like it. This experience impacted my life because it showed me what it is truly like to help someone in need. Whether basic measures such as supporting someone before the ambulance arrives to take them to the hospital, or performing life-saving measures, this opportunity has impacted how I show compassion and made me want to be more generous to others because there is truly no way to know what they are going through. When realizing this, I also realized that Logan-Trivoli has made me more compassionate in ways I didn’t know possible, they made me learn how to emotionally support others in a time of dire need, but they also taught me how to help myself and those I love when it isn’t often considered. They have made me more generous because now I am more willing to help others than I ever have been, and I am more likely to go out of my way to provide someone with comfort and help than I was before. To conclude, I am a volunteer firefighter because it has allowed me to be more compassionate and has changed my perspective of the world. Being on Logan-Trivoli Fire Protection District has taught me how to better provide and connect with members of my community in ways I would previously not have considered, and this is something that I will forever be grateful for.

At the age of 13, as I was walking through our county fair, I glanced to my right and saw a group of men and women dressed in boots, tactical pants, and blue collared shirts with the star of life woven above their hearts. Decorated with stethoscopes, trauma sheers, and pens, I could not help but lock eyes with them and the ambulance they were gathered around. As they called me over, I had the conversation that would change my life path and build me into the person I am today. A few months later, at the age of 14, I began working with that same rescue station as a junior E.M.T. Learning about the world and the people living in it from such a raw, adverse position truly has made a significant impact on my life. Transforming a meek 14-year-old girl into a girl with the ability to communicate effectively and efficiently to her patients and peers. The reconstruction of a young mind, unaware of the issues society faces, to becoming the voice that brings awareness to those same issues. Gaining medical knowledge and developing a greater passion for healthcare under the guidance of hardworking, intelligent men and women during that time in my life is something I will always be grateful for. It is no secret that there are many high-stakes moments where we could very much be the only thing in between our patient and death. This fact makes it all the more crucial to have a team that is built in trust, patience, and great communication. These are all amazing characteristics of what teams in healthcare should reflect, and are characteristics embodied within my fellow EMTs that keep me coming back to EMS. I was not only lucky enough to volunteer at home, but I am now able to work with a fantastic group of other brilliant college students. As an EMS agency that is entirely student-run, we are given the opportunity to create this agency as our own to serve our peers when the time of need comes, not only focusing on 911 calls but the public health of our university as well. From accomplishing high-acuity, life-saving calls, to baking cookies at 3 o’clock in the morning, I live for the moments where I am able to make a significant impact on my community as a first responder while doing it with the people I call family. To have this experience is to become a better servant to those around me and grow into the health care provider I aspire to be. And with this experience comes the responsibility of using my position to ensure equitable and quality healthcare for everyone in my community, city, and state. Being an EMT is the stone I will cast.

As a young woman who comes from a small town in rural Minnesota, the need for volunteer EMTs and firefighters was immense. I grew up in a household where we had need for the emergency services in our area; many of our neighbors have been visited by the ambulance or fire truck at some point in the last few decades. When my teacher, who is also a part-time volunteer EMT, offered a training course to become a certified EMT, I jumped at the offer. I wanted to be able to make a difference in my area the same way that our small ambulance crew had already been doing for years. However, I knew I wouldn't stay at home forever. I became certified just as I began college, and I felt as if I was abandoning my hometown. I did not think I would be able to use my EMT skills on a college campus. When I arrived at College of Saint Benedict, I discovered that its brother school, Saint John's University, hosted a volunteer EMT squad made up of thirty students who were all certified. I applied and was accepted. It was an incredible feeling to be able to actually use my ability and certification at last. It has now been a year since I have started to volunteer with the Saint John's EMT Squad, and the experience has been overwhelmingly gratifying. I have been on multiple calls with staff, students, and visitors, each of them unique in their own way. Being able to support them through a trauma as small as a wound to as large as a broken bone is a beneficial moment for all. I have been able to continue my training and re-certification with classes provided on campus. Overall, it is a rewarding experience. Along with the technical and on-call experience, I have also expanded my acquaintance and friend group. Many of the people I have come to work with on multiple occasions have become close to me; we have been able to discuss calls, train together, and form a trusting bond that is necessary among first-responders. The experience as a whole - being able to make connections, help people, and continue my emergency medical training - has been central to my college life so far. I hope to be able to recertify and continue to volunteer through my next two years, and even beyond. Being an EMT is an important aspect in my life that makes me who I am today, and I am grateful to the people who have helped me achieve this goal of mine.

Everyone dreams of doing something big from a young age. Some dream of being football stars, policemen, firefighters, and even trash truck drivers... Me, I dreamed of them all. Still to this day, I go back and forth on what I want to be for a career. I am influenced by many which I feel in the end will allow me to make a well-rounded decision about my future. I found myself as a Volunteer Firefighter to serve my community and give back, but learned, it has taught me much more. At sixteen years old, I found myself wanting to start doing more with my life. I turned in an application to be an apprentice member at the Cave Spring Volunteer Fire Department. Throughout my now two years of being in the fire service I have accomplished much more than I ever thought I would. I am State Certified for Firefighter Level I, II and Hazmat Operations. I run the Membership and Community Outreach committees of our department and have even traveled to Cleveland, Ohio for the National Volunteer Fire Council Recruitment and Retention Conference. I volunteer to give back to my community because I believe service to your community and country should be a part of every American citizen's life. Unfortunately, the armed services was not on the table for my service, but Volunteer Firefighting fit right in. I get to give back to the community I have lived in since birth. Responding to non-emergency and emergency calls when the people need someone the most. I have seen death, but I have also seen life. I have seen destruction, but I have also seen resilience and rebirth. I am surrounded by those who have never seen what I have seen, but it shall be that way, I will be their shield. Being a Volunteer Firefighter specifically, I get to work and meet people of all walks of life. Previous/Current Career Firefighters, IT specialists, Police Officers, President's and Executives in large companies and organizations, and your regular run of the muck blue collar worker. Having aspirations to pursue multiple different careers, I feel that the Volunteer Fire Service is a great place to network and surround myself by different influences. Every person has different life experiences and every person I meet has a different view of the world. I try personally to get to know and understand each persons view and understand why they may see it that way. If in the end, I still do not agree with their view, I can still in good conscience know that I made my own informed view. Simply put, I volunteer because I can. I volunteer because it is a good thing to do, and I am able to do it, so why not?

I became a volunteer EMT to help others in need. Whether the person who calls 911 needs a ride to the hospital or they are in critical condition, I want to be there for them and do everything in my power to help them. I have been an official member of the Milford Fire Department for the past year. Before I was old enough to become a member, I would come to the firehouse with my dad, a past volunteer firefighter now ambulance driver, and help out with Saturday night bingo. My dad introduced me to a life surrounded by the different kinds of emergency services, and I immediately took great interest. As soon as I turned sixteen, I joined my local fire department. My dad and I recently completed our six-month-long EMT training course and are waiting for our chances to take the national exam. While working my way to this point of my career, I have been on many calls for many reasons. My first call was a cardiac arrest, which ended up becoming a dead-on-arrival (DOA). This experience was surreal and nerve-racking since it was my first time going on a call, and I knew the family personally. After my experience with that call, I knew I was ready for a career in the EMT field. While EMT is my focal service, I have also taken a junior firefighter class and plan to take firefighter one and two in the future, along with other courses once I am old enough to take them. During the firefighter class, I learned how to operate the radio, climbed into windows, practiced with the hoses, and crawled through buildings in the dark. Unfortunately, I could not complete the course due to being out of the state with family, but I plan to continue my training in the fire service. When I go to college, I plan to major in disaster management and response and minor in fire science. This education will help me pursue my career as a fire line EMT. With my chosen major and minor, I can provide medical treatment for patients and help fight forest fires. Volunteering at my local fire department is easily the most crucial step toward helping others that I have ever completed. I cannot wait to continue my career in the EMS world and work hard to help others with my dream career.

The night my best friend died in a horrifying drowning incident, I laid awake listening to the radio chatter from the incident. At that point I had been a volunteer on the Morris Minute Men EMS Squad and Rainbow Lakes Volunteer Fire Department for a year. I joined both squads/departments in 2017, but became a certified New Jersey EMT and a Firefighter (Proboard / IFSAC) 4 weeks after her passing, in August of 2018. I knew I wanted to help people for the rest of my life. Friends who were at the lake when my friend, Bella, drowned spoke poorly about the volunteers who were on scene as they were laughing and making plans to go to the bar once their shift ended. Meanwhile, the dive team was searching for my friend's lifeless body at the bottom of the lake right next to them. When I heard this, my heart instantly sank and I knew that not only did I want to help on 911 calls, but wanted to be a respectful and caring person to the individuals experiencing some of the worst days of their life. I aspire to make a difference in people's lives and to give back to my community. I have gained so many memories from volunteering over the last 4 years and I never once thought about quitting. Everyone who calls 911 is so grateful for the people who show up on their doorstep and when they say thank you and have a smile on their face, it makes it all worth it. I think my life would have gone a different way if it wasn't for Bella. She is the reason I pray that individuals are safe and alive when a possibly fatal call goes out. She is the reason I stop whenever I see a car accident, just to make sure no one needs any medical assistance, because she always stopped and asked. She is the reason for my constant dedication to volunteering and helping others. I have over 1,000 volunteer hours with my EMS squad and I volunteer approximately 5-10 hours per week with the fire department when I am home from school. I currently am in nursing school and it is one of my biggest priorities, however I never skip a chance to volunteer when I am home for the weekend or for breaks. I have met some of the strongest, most thoughtful and most caring people at these organizations who all have the same goal in life: to help others. I will continue to be a volunteer until the day I no longer can physically. It has transformed my life more than I can explain. I have seen some of the worst situations, helped the patient's who were almost on death's doorstep, and have continued learning so much. I hope one day I can make an impact on others as people from my organizations have for me. Thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be considered for this scholarship.