Hillsborough County Firefighter Charities believes in supporting young adults in the Tampa Bay Area. One way we have chosen to assist them in pursuing their goals and dreams is to provide a monetary grant of $1,500 towards a career in the fire service. Two scholarships will be awarded each year to qualified entrants. Only one (1) grant will be given per applicant. All applicants must follow the guidelines stated below.

Select ONE of the following topics:

1)    Explain why you are interested and what influenced you to consider entering the Fire/EMS service? What qualities do you believe are required to become a firefighter or medic? How do you believe you can make a positive impact in the profession? (Please feel free to expound upon the subject as you deem necessary.)

2)     Provide a brief history of the Fire/EMS service in America? What were some of the problems encountered by firefighters early on? How has the equipment changed over the years? What fire prevention measures have been undertaken to improve life safety? How has the introduction of the pre-hospital medical services influenced the profession? (Please feel free to expound upon the subject as you deem necessary.)

THE FIRE SERVICE – JUDGING Essays will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Please include any references used in writing the essay in the MLA format.

THE FIRE SERVICE – RULES Entrant must be currently enrolled or registered in a Tampa Bay Area college, university or technical school.

To avoid disqualification, a stapled cover sheet MUST include: your name and address; your e-mail address; the name and address of the school; and the topic selected (#1 or 2 from list above).

Essay must be no fewer than 800 and no more than 1,600 words in length, and must be typewritten and double-spaced.

One entry per student, please. Two copies of the essay must be provided. Essay must be solely the work of the entrant.

Essay must be postmarked no later than July 1 of the year being entered.

Decisions of the judges are final.

All entries become the property of the HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY FIREFIGHTER CHARITIES, INC. and will not be returned.

All entries must be mailed to:
Hillsborough County Firefighter, Inc.
5425 N. 59th Street
Tampa, FL 33610

Winners, finalists, semifinalists and all other participants will be notified via e-mail and/or by mail by July 31 of the same year.

Note: All information necessary to enter the contest is contained on this page. It is not necessary to write more information.