Brampton Fire and Emergency Services offers financial support to aspiring firefighters Bursary of $1,000 to be awarded this June

Each year, Brampton Fire and Emergency Services supports a local student

pursuing a career in the fire services through the George Hitchcock Bursary. The selected student will use the financial support from this bursary for post-secondary tuition fees. The application period for the bursary is now open. The applicant must be a Brampton-based Canadian citizen (or able to work in Canada) pursuing an Ontario post-secondary diploma in a fire-related program. Application forms are available online at www.brampton.ca and must be submitted to firelife@brampton.ca.

The submission period will close either on March 31, 2014 or upon receiving 30 applications, whichever comes first. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed and one applicant will be selected for the bursary of $1,000 to be paid directly toward course enrolment. “Through this fund, we honour George and the valuable contribution he made to the fire services,” says Fire Chief Michael Clark. “His passion for the fire services and student mentorship will continue to live on, fueling the dreams of many youngsters and promoting fire services as a career of choice.”

The endowment fund was set up with seed money of more than $31,000 received from public donations. The scholarship amount disbursed each year varies.

Brampton Fire and Emergency Services set up the George Hitchcock Memorial Endowment Fund in 2014 to provide financial support to those pursuing a career in the fire services. The fund is in honour of the late George Hitchcock, who served in the Brampton Fire Service for 33years and was pivotal in establishing the Fire/Life Safety Education Division.For more information, visit www.brampton.ca or email firelife@brampton.ca.