Junior Firefighter Earns $1.5K Scholarship

By Nolan Piccola

info@longislandergroup.com

Pictured, from left: Huntington Manor Fire Department First Assistant Chief Mike DePasquale; Chief Frank McQuade; Robert Eng, junior firefighter and recipient of the Gerald J. Buckenmeyer Volunteer Scholarship Award; Eng’s father, who is also named Robert Eng, a firefighter; Bob McConville, president of FASNY; Third Assistant Chief Chuck Brady; and Second Assistant Chief Jon Hoffman. Photo courtesy of Huntington Manor Fire Department

Robert Eng, a recent Walt Whitman High School grad, and a volunteer at Huntington Manor’s Explorer Post 1650 for four years, has earned a $1,500 scholarship awarded by the state.

Bob McConville, president of the Firemen’s Association of New York, recently presented the Gerald J. Buckenmeyer Volunteer Scholarship Award to Eng in recognition of his dedication as a Huntington Manor junior firefighter.

“Being part of Huntington Manor has changed me to become the person I am today. I have made lifelong friends throughout the years, and learned many things like the importance of working together, being responsible, and becoming a leader,” Eng, 18, said. “The past four years have given me so many memories that I won’t forget.”

Eng is one of thousands nationwide that take part in the National Volunteer Firefighter Council, which launched in July 2007, and has kept a consistent goal of engaging youths in their community in the emergency services. Dedicated volunteers earn scholarships for their work.

As a junior firefighter at Huntington Manor, Eng’s main focus of training is to develop necessary firefighter skills, including first-aid procedure, search and rescue, while also participating in community service activities.

“It’s an honor to win the FASNY scholarship, considering it is offered to a selected few students across New York State,” Eng said. 

This fall, Eng plans to attend LIU Post to study game design and development. Although completing his junior firefighter training, Eng said he is ready for what the future has in store for him.