Nationwide grant funds scholarships to State Fire School

During opening ceremonies for State Fire School 2005 at BGSU on May 9, Nationwide Insurance Co. announced it is underwriting State Fire School training for firefighters and emergency service personnel from throughout Ohio.

Every year more than 800 firefighters, emergency medical service professionals and industrial fire brigades attend the May and October training programs hosted by BGSU.

The $44,000, four-year grant from the Nationwide Foundation will fund scholarships to augment training budgets for fire departments throughout the state and assist in providing Ohioans with better fire protection. The funding also will help more emergency response personnel acquire updated training to enhance the level of community protection.

Starting in October, $11,000 in scholarships will be awarded each year from the Nationwide Foundation grant. All municipal firefighters, paramedics and EMTs—full-time, part-time and volunteer—will be eligible to apply. Recipients will be chosen from regions established by a selection committee to assure that areas throughout Ohio will be represented.

"The scholarships will expand significantly the number of emergency response personnel receiving advanced training," said Dr. William K. Balzer, associate vice president and dean of Continuing & Extended Education, who accepted the grant on behalf of the State Fire School and the University. "The communities throughout Ohio served by these recipients will be the true beneficiaries of the generosity of the Nationwide Foundation."

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world. The Nationwide Foundation is an independent corporation funded by contributions from Nationwide companies. Since 1959, the Nationwide Foundation has worked to positively affect the quality of life in communities where its associates, agents and their families live and work.

Each May the State Fire School at Bowling Green offers 35-40 classes, ranging from basic to advanced training, and features field training using acquired structures and facilities throughout the region. A four-day Fall State Fire School is held in October. Hosted by BGSU since 1974, State Fire School is currently offered through Professional and Community Education (PACE) within Continuing & Extended Education.