The Fire Apparatus Manufacturers’ Association (FAMA) has awarded its 2009 Phillip L. Turner Fire Protection Scholarship to Oklahoma State University student Benjamin Eschner.
Eschner, a sophomore from Chicago majoring in fire protection and safety technology, will receive a $3,000 scholarship in recognition of his outstanding academic achievement and commitment to the fire service. The award is given annually by FAMA and is sponsored this year by FAMA member Akron Brass Co., a worldwide manufacturer of high-performance fire-fighting and rescue equipment. A presentation was made today at the FAMA Technical Committee meeting held in conjunction with the Fire-Rescue International show in Dallas, TX.
“In addition to Ben’s academic results, his active involvement in and support of student chapters of fire-rescue associations is impressive,” said Dave Reid, chair of the FAMA Education Committee. “We congratulate Ben for the hard work and dedication he has shown in pursuit of his dream to be a firefighter, and we are pleased to award him this year’s FAMA scholarship.”
Tom Hudak, president of Akron Brass, noted: “Our organization is committed to promoting education and life-long learning. The leadership of Ben, along with committed young men and women like him, will make a difference within the fire service for years to come.”
Eschner was selected by his peers as the outstanding rookie of the Fire Protection Society. He is active in a number of organizations, including the student chapters of Society of Fire Protection Engineers, Student Association of Fire Investigators and American Society of Safety Engineers where he serves as secretary. He is pursuing certification as an emergency medical technician and works at various municipal fire departments when not in school.
“Ben has earned the reputation of a hard working and respectful student who strives to excel both in and out of the classroom,” wrote one of his professors, Michael Larrañaga, who is also the department head at OSU. “Ben is an outstanding student who has excelled in the School of Fire Protection and Safety at OSU and is an outstanding candidate for the FAMA scholarship.”
