Scholarship Program


Scholarship Program

In 1990, members of the Illinois Fire Service Institute field staff created the Education and Research Awards Committee to provide funding for the education of firefighters in Illinois. Since that time, the fund has grown and is now overseen by the University of Illinois Foundation.

Committee members include a minimum of six firefighters (four IFSI field staff and two faculty members). The Director of IFSI serves as the Chairman and IFSI's Director of Budget and Resource Planning acts as a non-voting advisor.

Scholarships Supported by the Committee
The committee serves firefighters by approving matching funds for six scholarships awarded by the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association. They are named in honor of six firefighters whose service to IFSI made a meaningful contribution to IFSI and the fire service. Go to the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association Web site for details on how to apply for these IFSI scholarships. Scholarship applications must be postmarked by March 15.
    Gerald E. Monigold Memorial
    Gerald E. Monigold was the Director of the Illinois Fire Service Institute from 1976 until his death in 1996.

    One $1,000 grant to be used in the pursuit of education in a Fire Service related field at the graduate level.

    Dean Mercer Memorial
    Chief Dean Mercer was, for three decades, the lead IFSI field staff instructor and area representative in southern Illinois until his death in 2001.

    One $1,000 grant to be used in the pursuit of fire service training.

    Andrew Fredericks Memorial
    Andy Fredericks was an IFSI field staff instructor and FDNY firefighter who lost his life at the World Trade Center in New York City on September 11, 2001.

    One $1,000 grant to be used in the pursuit of fire service training.

    Pete Lund Memorial
    Pete Lund was an IFSI field staff instructor who was instrumental in creating the IFSI Structural Collapse rescue program. He was a retired FDNY lieutenant and volunteer fire chief who lost his life in the line of duty at a house fire in June 2005.

    One $1,000 grant to be used in the pursuit of fire service training.

    William Renaker Memorial
    William Renaker was a well-known expert in rope rescue operations and served as the Rescue Program Director for the Illinois Fire Service Institute until his untimely death in July 2005.

    One $1,000 grant to be used in the pursuit of education in a Fire Service field.

    James T. Berggren Memorial
    Chief James T. Berggren was a nationally recognized authority on rural water supply. He was an IFSI field staff instructor from the 1960’s until his death in 2006.

    One $1,000 grant to be used in the pursuit of fire service training.

    Ray Hoff Memorial
    Ray was a retired Chicago Fire Department Battalion Chief, who spent most of his career assigned to Truck Companies, as was instrumental in developing the Operations of CFD Truck companies. Ray was a long time IFSI Field Instructor, and taught in Officer Training, and Truck Company Operations until his death in 2011.

    One $1,000.00 grant to be used in the pursuit of fire service training.

Grants Awarded by the Committee
Special grants are awarded to help IFSI Field Staff attend classes, seminars and schools.

The Program also supports research that studies ways to enhance firefighter safety and to promote new technology. Examples of activities that are supported by grants from the IFSI Education and Research Awards Program:
  • Field staff instructor development
  • Heat stress and flashover research
  • The study of special event occurrences where firefighters can learn new fire fighting techniques

All contributions to the IFSI Education & Research Awards Committee (Scholarship Fund) are tax-deductible, as allowed by law.

Donations

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For further information on development at Illinois Fire Service Institute, please contact:
Tim Walsh
Director of Corporate Relations, Development and Community Engagement
217-300-0717
tmwalsh@illinois.edu